Get Your D.D. from AAA This Thanksgiving in Iowa & Wisconsin
According to a press release form the organization, AAA is gearing up to make roads safer with the 'Tow to Go' campaign. This program, available in several states including Iowa, Wisconsin, and more, offers a crucial option to drivers who find themselves impaired during their holiday weekend festivities.
Running from 6pm on Wednesday, November 22nd, to 6am on Monday, November 27th, 'Tow to Go' provides a confidential and free ride for impaired drivers and their vehicles within a 10-mile radius. The service is available to both AAA members and non-members, emphasizing the company's commitment to public safety.
With AAA projecting the third-busiest Thanksgiving on record, totaling an estimated 49.1 million Americans taking to the roads, the risk of accidents increases exponentially, particularly when combined with holiday celebrations and extended travel times. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 830 people have lost their lives in crashes involving a drunk driver during the Thanksgiving holiday, over the past five years.
What are the 'Tow to Go' guidelines this holiday?
- 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.
AAA wants the public to see 'Tow to Go' as the last line of defense in keeping impaired drivers off the road. Across 25 years of service, this initiative has successfully removed over 25,000 impaired drivers from roadways.
“Tow to Go serves as that last line of defense in keeping impaired drivers off the road. If you plan to celebrate this weekend, make plans for a safe ride home first. If your plans fall through, you can call AAA and we’ll get you to a safe place.”
-Brian Ortner, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
As we prepare to celebrate with all the "excess" of Thanksgiving feasts, make sure to plan for a safe ride home in advance, or utilize 'Tow to Go' as a responsible alternative. Keeping our neighbors and families safe should always be a priority. Make a commitment to protecting your wallet, driving record, and, most importantly, the safety of all other road users this turkey day.
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Gallery Credit: Angela Underwood