If you plan to ring in the new year with your favorite adult beverages, and you don't have a designated driver, AAA and Bud Light are offering the Tow to Go program through New Year's Day.
The service is available free to anyone, AAA member or not, in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. The number to call anywhere in the three states is (855) 2-TOW-2-GO (286-9246).
About 63 percent of consumers think people use a designated driver more on New Year's Eve because of increased media coverage on the topic of drinking and driving, according to AAA's Consumer Pulse survey. Yet 75 percent report that they have never or rarely served as designated drivers for friends or family in the past year.
Tow to Go is designed to help discourage an intoxicated person from getting behind the wheel.
"New Year's Eve is the busiest night of the year for the Tow to Go program because so many motorists seem to be more inclined to use a designated driver but don't always have someone willing to be one in their own party during the biggest celebration of the year," said Gerry Gutowski Sr., the vice president of automotive services for AAA - The Auto Club Group. "We prepare our call center teams and tow truck service providers for weeks in advance, so we can manage the increased call volume that's typical of this time of year."
Since its inception in 1998, Tow to Go has prevented more than 22,000 intoxicated people from driving. The service is designed to be used as a last resort. It is offered based on availability of AAA drivers and tow trucks during times of high call volume. The Auto Club Group has provided the Tow to Go service for more than 15 years.
"We are proud to join forces with AAA and their team of roadside assistance drivers on this great program that helps to keep our roads safe," said Kathy Casso, the vice president of corporate social responsibility at Anheuser-Busch.
"The safest way to bring in the new year is to have a designated driver in your party before you have your first drink," Gutowski said. "If you are relying on a taxi or free service to get you home, you should plan for there to be a very high demand after midnight for these services. The high call volume means a longer wait for a sober ride when the party is over and it is time to go home."
Anheuser-Busch Wholesalers has been a co-sponsor of the program since its inception in 1998. The company provides funding and works with local bars and restaurants throughout Georgia, Florida and Tennessee to help educate servers on the importance of not overserving their customers.