ESCANABA — A holiday tradition credited with saving lives in Delta County will celebrate something else besides the new year this week. The free New Year’s Eve Liferides program will mark 40 years of helping those who are ringing in the new year make it home safely.

Rides will be available from 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 until 4 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1. with the goal of preventing alcohol-related traffic accidents and fatalities. Since the program began in 1984, there have been no fatalities from alcohol-related traffic accidents in Delta County on New Year’s Eve — a trend organizers hope will continue.

The program was started after a series of accidents that took place on New Year’s Eve in 1983. The Daily Press reported that seven people were involved in four separate traffic accidents, with five of those people being sent to the hospital, and one requiring a multi-day stay from New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day that year.

Those who need a ride this New Year’s Eve can call the Delta Area Transit Authority (DATA) bus at 906-786-1186, ext. 1, or JN Taxi at 906-786-1122. All transportation charges will be covered by the Liferides program. DATA encourages people to call the day prior to preschedule a ride if possible.

Flyers also have been distributed to local bars and restaurants with information about the program for those who may need to call for a ride on New Year’s Eve but do not have the phone numbers for JN Taxi or DATA with them.

For those that are not planning to use the Liferide program, organizers encourage the public to plan ahead, choose designated drivers, and make plans to stay at a hotel or with friends or family rather than driving after drinking.

Liferides are sponsored by OSF St. Francis Hospital with the support the of Island Resort & Casino, Edward J. Sackerson Foundation, Community Foundation for Delta County, M3 Insurance and Elmers County Market.