It’s New Year’s Eve. Traditionally, people party. Many people drink. Too many drink and drive. Across the nation, this 24 hour period has the second highest number of fatalities of any other 24 hour period.

However, two towing companies are providing services to help people get home safely. AAA offers a Tipsy Tow program across all of Northern California (and beyond, too.) According to John Ford, Insurance Agent for AAA, the company offers “a free ten-mile tow home for drinking drivers and their vehicles. The Tipsy Tow program is open to everyone. You do not need to be an AAA Member to take advantage of this service to the community.”

AAA offers its service to drinking drivers from 6 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. the following day in Northern California. And, because  During this period, Ford says, “…drivers, potential passengers, party hosts, bartenders, and restaurant managers can call 800-222-4357 (800-AAA-HELP) for a free tow home of up to ten miles.”

Ford adds, “Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow,’ and a truck will be on its way.”

Humboldt Towing also offers a free service tonight [roughly within 20 miles of Eureka.] 442-4537 is the number to call.  According to Chris Sampson the manager, usually these kind of tow requests don’t start happening until about 10 or 11 and it runs til 6 A.M. He points out that “You have to a vehicle that runs” because the company sends out two guys. One to drive your vehicle home and one to follow with the tow truck to get the driver back to the company.

“The owner, Leroy Hoffman pays the drivers out of his own pocket,” says Sampson. “It is just a service for the community he wants to offer.”

Remember this could not only save your life but someone else’s.  Beyond that DUI’s “not only costs thousands of dollars in court costs, your insurance premiums will almost double” if you get one, explains Ford.

He adds that the AAA service will provide a one-way ride for the driver and vehicle to the driver’s home. If there are additional passengers who need a ride, they will be taken to the driver’s home as long is there is sufficient room for them to be transported safely in the tow truck.

AAA offers the following tips to stay safe and keep others safe on the roads:

  • Drive only while drug and alcohol-free 
  • Plan ahead and designate a non-drinking driver before a celebration begins 
  • Don’t let your friends drive impaired. Take their keys away 
  • Never ride in a car with someone who is impaired 
  • If you plan on drinking, plan to take a cab or stay with a friend