Celebrate New Year’s Eve Safely and Responsibly

Sacramento – The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) encourages ABC licensees to help prevent DUIs and check identifications closely to prevent underage drinking during New Year’s Eve. ABC also urges the public to have a plan in place for a sober driver to get everyone home safely.

ABC is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help communities through the holiday season.

Alcohol-impaired driving remains a leading cause of fatal traffic crashes in the United States, especially during the holiday season. According to NHTSA, 12,429 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2023, making up 30 percent of all traffic fatalities. On average, one person died every 42 minutes in an alcohol-impaired driving crash in 2023.

The department has several education and prevention programs available to ABC licensees that promote responsible service of alcoholic beverages. New Year’s Eve education efforts are funded by a grant from OTS through the NHTSA.

Visit ABC’s website to see how the department protects communities through education, prevention and enforcement programs designed to increase compliance with California’s alcoholic beverage laws.