dui_checkpointAs part of The American Automobile Association’s dedication to making the roads as safe as possible for all motorists, AAA is offering its Tipsy Tow program for Cinco de Mayo. The holiday is one of ten different holiday and special events in 2011 where the Auto Club, will offer a free ten-mile tow home for drinking drivers and their vehicles.

The Tipsy Tow program is open to everyone. Drivers do not need to be an AAA Member to take advantage of this service to the community.

AAA is offering the service to drinking drivers from 6 p.m. on the Fifth of May to 6 a.m. the following day in California, Nevada and Utah.

During the period Tipsy Tow is available, drivers, potential passengers, party hosts, bartenders, and restaurant managers can call 800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow home of up to five miles. Just tell the AAA operator, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” and a truck will be on its way.

The 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. You cannot make a reservation.

AAA provides its Tipsy Tow service for the following holidays in 2011:

  • Super Bowl: 6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 6th – 6:00 a.m. Monday, February 7th
  • St. Patrick’s Day: 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 17th – 6:00 a.m. Friday, March 18th
  • Cinco de Mayo: 6:00 p.m. Thursday, May 5th – 6:00 a.m. Friday, May 6th
  • Memorial Day: 6:00 p.m. Monday, May 30th – 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 31st
  • Independence Day: 6:00 p.m. Monday, July 4th – 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 5th
  • Labor Day: 6:00 p.m. Monday, September 5th – 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 6th
  • Halloween: 6:00 p.m. Monday, October 31st – 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 1st
  • Thanksgiving: 6:00 p.m. Thursday, November 24th – 6:00 a.m. Friday, November 25th
  • Christmas Eve: 6:00 p.m. Saturday, December 24th – 6:00 a.m. Sunday, December 25th
  • New Year’s Eve: 6:00 p.m. Saturday, December 31st – 6:00 a.m. Sunday, January 1st
During 2006, 17,602 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, representing 41 percent of all traffic-related deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drunk-driving crashes also account for about 60 percent of highway deaths of young people age 16 to 24 each year. It takes only one or two drinks to impair vision, steering, braking, judgment, and reaction time.

AAA estimates that a first time DUI conviction can cost up to $12,000 in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees, and added insurance expenses. You can’t put a price tag on a crash that causes an injury or death.

If you’ve been celebrating by drinking alcohol, don’t get behind the wheel. Give AAA a call and we’ll make sure you get home safely.