By Craig Anderson

REHOBOTH BEACH — Along with expected huge crowds at the beaches this holiday weekend, DUI checkpoints and opportunities to ride safely are coming too.

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety’s SoberLift program was to commence Thursday in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, and Ocean View.

From 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. each day through Monday, participants can receive free Lyft vouchers for rides to their destination. The discount code for a maximum $15 value for Lyft can be redeemed by texting “SOBERLIFT” to 99000.

According to OHS spokeswoman Cynthia Cavett, more than 1,200 people throughout Delaware have used the program since 2018 “during Fourth of July, and other periods prone to higher incidence rates for DUI arrests and crashes rather than possibly drive home impaired. The campaign is a success due to these people making the responsible decision to make a plan for a sober ride home before the celebrating begins.”

A heavy influx of beach visitors was expected to arrive this week, according to Ms. Cavett. OHS said it is employing a multi-tiered strategy to make the area roadways safer.

“All signs point toward this being another unprecedented summer,” she said.

“Last year we had the unprecedented summer where we were undergoing COVID-19 regulations and voluntary self isolation and staying home, but this summer everybody is eager to get back out there and celebrate getting together with family and friends, getting back on the road after a long time of not being on the road.

“So we absolutely anticipate seeing more activity, more drivers, and we certainly encourage people to get back out there and celebrate, but to make that plan with a sober ride home as part of the celebration.

“Just do it ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about it later.”

There should be an ample supply of available vehicles to transport folks home, Ms. Cavett said.

“We have never had a problem with there being enough drivers to accommodate all of the voucher code redemptions for safe rides so thankfully we have blessed in that way to have no issues,” she said.

“There will definitely be enough Lyft drivers to go around for everyone.”

Also scheduled for the holiday weekend are DUI checkpoints running from 10 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday. Checkpoints will be located on U.S. 13 near Dover, Del. 24 near Millsboro, and Del. 72 near Newark.

The sites will be manned by 66 law enforcement officers from 15 local, county, and municipal police agencies in addition to Delaware State Police, OHS said in a news release. At least one Drug Recognition Enforcement officer will be part of the checkpoint activation in each county.

The checkpoint locations are in targeted areas known to have a high number of DUI arrests and crashes including both injuries and fatalities, OHS said.

According to OHS, it “will be communicating with the community through print and digital advertising; social media; table tents, posters, and sandwich boards in public areas, restaurants, and retailers throughout Delaware beach towns, in addition to public relations efforts.”