Ringing in the New Year: 5 things to be aware of
2:32 p.m. Dec. 31, 2025
DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor
New Year’s Eve is all about celebrating with friends, loud music, and the shared hope that the coming year will be better than the last. However, it is also one of the busiest and riskiest nights of the year. Crowded places, drinking, late hours, and intense emotions can quickly turn small mistakes into bigger problems.
Enjoy the night, but stay grounded. Being aware of your surroundings is not about dampening the fun; it is about making sure everyone gets home safely. Here are five things to keep top of mind as you celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
Call for a Ride Home
If you celebrate too much as you ring in 2026, do not drink and drive. The Sheriff's Department can arrange a safe ride home: 931-759-7323.
1. Who You Arrived With – and Who You Leave With
It is easy to get separated in large crowds. Keep in touch with the people you came with, especially if you are drinking. Make a plan before you go out about where you are going, how long you will stay, and how you will get home. If someone in your group feels uncomfortable, sick, or too impaired, take it seriously. Watching out for each other is one of the best ways to stay safe.
2. Your Transportation Plan
New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous nights for impaired driving. Decide how you will get home before you start drinking. Use a designated driver, rideshare, public transit, or plan to stay overnight if needed. If your plans change, take a moment to think before making a new decision.
3. Your Personal Space
Crowded bars, house parties, and public events can make it hard to keep personal boundaries. Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. Step away, find a friend, or tell staff if you need help. Knowing where the exits, security, and well-lit areas are can help you leave quickly and safely if needed.
4. Your Alcohol Intake
It is easy to overdo it when celebrating, but pacing yourself is important. Eat before you go out, drink water during the night, and pay attention to how much and how quickly you drink. Always watch your drinks being poured and never leave them unattended. Drinking too much can affect your judgment and make you more likely to get hurt.
5. What Is Happening Around You
Notice how people around you are acting. Arguments or unsafe behavior can get out of hand quickly at parties. If the crowd starts to get aggressive or out of control, it is a good idea to leave. Staying alert does not mean you have to be nervous; it just means noticing changes and acting before things get dangerous.
New Year’s Eve should end with good memories, not regrets or close calls. Being a little more aware can help keep you and others safe. Celebrate, have fun, and welcome the new year, but do it with care and attention.
The best way to start the year is to make it home safely.
Key Takeaways
• Drunk Driving: New Year’s Eve is statistically one of the highest nights of the year for DUI arrests and alcohol-involved traffic fatalities. Arrest likelihood and crash severity per mile traveled are significantly elevated on this night compared with typical days and many other holidays.
• Sexual Assault: While a formal ranking is not available at state or national levels, research into mass gatherings and holiday events suggests elevated risk of sexual assault on New Year’s Eve relative to ordinary days – primarily due to crowding and alcohol use.
