Hail a Cab on the DOT

This holiday season, even the New York City Department of Transportation is in a giving mood.

In an effort to curtail drunk driving over the holidays, the DOT is insisting that if you've had a few too many, you hail a cab—on them.

The DOT is teaming up with rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs and vodka brand CÎROC to hand out thousands of free taxi, livery and public transit rides in the form of $25 pre-paid public transit debit cards, including giveaways on December 11th along Park Slope's Fifth Avenue.

"Designated drivers are as important a part of the holidays as mistletoe and the New Year's Eve ball drop," said DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. "Whatever your plans, make sure they include a safe ride home after the ball drops, or on any night of the year."

The gift cards will be redeemable in taxis, at MetroCard machines, and in livery cabs accepting credit cards, such as Park Slope's Arecibo Car Service. The giveaway is part of the DOT's "You the Man" campaign, a social media-driven marketing campaign against drunk driving that targets men ages 21-39.

"New York is the world's most iconic holiday destination, so I'm excited to lead by example to demonstrate that a smooth, sophisticated holiday season doesn't end when the ball drops, but when everyone gets home safely," said Combs in a press release.

Though the official giveaway locations have not been released, at a recent Community Council meeting at the 78th Precinct, a Chris Hrones, Downtown Brooklyn Transportation Coordinator, spread the words that Fifth Avenue was on the list.

So this December, go ahead and splurge on a cab. Just be sure to hit Fifth Avenue first.