Posted in Tennessee Accident Law on December 30, 2016
City Officials Release Parking and Transportation Details for Nashville NYE Festivities
Nashville is one of the top destinations for celebrating New Year’s Eve, and to keep up with the increased traffic and the large number of out-of-town visitors who will be in the area, city officials have released a list of parking and transportation details for Dec. 31.
Per a report by WKRN.com, anyone who wants to find good locations to park in downtown should visit the city’s Park It Downtown website, which includes an interactive map, special rates, and park and ride opportunities. In addition, visitors and residents can also hail taxis on Rosa Parks Boulevard near the Nashville Farmer’s Market to avoid the expected congestion on Broadway and other places near downtown.
The city has officially partnered with ride-sharing app Uber for the holiday, and riders can be picked up and dropped off on Fifth Avenue between Harrison and Jefferson Streets. Riders can also utilize the city’s MTA bus service, which will provide free rides along its normal route beginning at 9 p.m. on NYE and continuing until 2:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day. The service will also operate on its Downtown Music City Circuit with shuttles to the event site at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.
Finally, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office will offer free safe and sober rides home to residents. Anyone who wants a ride can get picked up by going to the Sober Ride tent, which will be located at Fourth Avenue North and Harrison Street between 10 p.m. on NYE and 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
Tips for Enjoying a Safe NYE Celebration
New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest holidays in Nashville, but it can also be one of the most dangerous—especially when pedestrians enter roadways and drivers get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. You can reduce your risks on NYE and into the next morning by following these safety tips:
If you’re planning on consuming alcohol, make sure you have a safe ride home planned before you leave your home. Whether it’s a designated driver, a taxi ride, or a bus ride, having your ride home already scheduled or designated will significantly reduce the chances that you or someone with you will get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
The downtown and midtown areas will likely be filled with pedestrians who are walking from venue to venue. If you’re driving through these areas, it’s important that you proceed with extreme caution—especially late at night or into the next morning, as pedestrians may be intoxicated or simply not looking out for cars during this time. Reduce your speed and be cautious when driving through crosswalks, even if you have a green light, as pedestrians may not wait for “walk” signals.
If you’re using public or private transportation to get downtown and back home, it’s important to remember that many accidents occur when people enter and exit these vehicles. Make sure taxis or ridesharing vehicles are pulled over in safe locations and not in the middle of the roadway before you enter or exit. In addition, you should also wait until your bus has come to a complete stop and passengers have exited before attempting to board.
Nashville is well-known for being a top destination for holidays and celebrations, and the festivities planned for New Year’s 2017 are no exception. And while the city will increase law enforcement presence to help direct traffic and keep pedestrians safe, it’s ultimately up to drivers and attendees to keep themselves out of harm’s way and avoid serious accidents.
If you or someone you know was injured in a car, truck, bus, or pedestrian accident in Nashville that was caused by another person’s negligence, you may be eligible to receive compensation for some of your accident-related expenses. Get in touch with the Nashville auto accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law to find out how we can put our 20 years of experience to work for you. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
