TAMPA, Fla. — If you're planning on going out to celebrate over the 4th of July weekend, there's one important thing to keep in mind — don't drink and drive.
For people to stay safe while out enjoying their time, AAA has brought back its "Tow to Go" program for the holiday period. Anyone needing to get from point A to point B after having a few drinks will have a way of safely getting there.
The program will be active starting from 6 p.m. Friday all the way up until 6 a.m. Tuesday. AAA reminds people that the free help in transportation should be treated as a last resort.
“The weekend will be filled with fireworks and other festivities, but please don’t bring the party on the road with you,” Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesman, said in a statement. “The roads will already be extremely crowded this weekend, and adding alcohol just raises the risk of a deadly crash. As you lock in your party plans, be sure to also set up a safe ride. If those plans fall through, call Tow to Go and AAA can give you a lift.”
When someone calls 855-286-9246, AAA sends out a tow truck to drive the would-be impaired driver and their car to a safe location within a 10-mile radius.
Here are some things to keep in mind for the 4th of July weekend:
- Free and available to AAA members and non-members
- Confidential local ride for one person and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10-mile radius
- Appointments cannot be scheduled in advance to use Tow to Go. It is designed as a safety net for those that did not plan ahead. Always choose a designated driver before celebrating
- In some situations, AAA may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual a safe ride home
- Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions
And the service will be available in other states, too — not just the Sunshine State. Celebrators in Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Colorado (Denver), North Carolina (Charlotte), Indiana (Fort Wayne/South Bend) and Georgia (excluding Savannah) can use the Tow to Go program as well.
Approximately one-third of all deadly crashes in the U.S. involve drunk drivers. The Two to Go program has removed more than 25,000 impaired drivers off the road, the release explains.
