AAA offers Tow-for-Life on New Year’s Eve

MADISON – As Alabamians celebrate on New Year’s Eve, AAA Alabama cautions partygoers against getting behind the wheel after the champagne toast. AAA ALABAMA will offer free towing on New Year’s Eve.

According to recent analysis by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the highest number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities occurs on New Year’s Day, particularly during the last decade.

“To save lives and promote safe driving this New Year’s Eve, AAA Alabama and wrecker services across the state will again offer Tow-for-Life,” AAA Alabama spokesperson Clay Ingram said. “This public service program provides free towing services to keep impaired drivers off the road.”

In its 30th year, Two-for-Life is provided to AAA members and non-members alike. AAA does not condone drinking and driving and encourages all motorists to act responsibly to keep drunk drivers off the road throughout the holidays.

Two-for-Life opens at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and continues until 6 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2017.

“This time period is the most dangerous to be on the roads,” Ingram said. “We want to raise awareness and encourage people to plan ahead when going out on New Year’s Eve. It’s important to make arrangements before you go out, so that you aren’t making these decisions after you have been drinking.”

To use the towing service, call 1-800-222-4357 (1-800-AAA-HELP).

“In fact, wreckers are usually among the first at the scene of deadly crashes where alcohol has been involved,” Ingram said. “New Year’s Eve is traditionally one of the most dangerous nights of the year to drive.”

“AAA encourages party-goers who drink alcohol to appoint a designated driver. Also, party hosts should prevent guests from driving after drinking by calling a taxi to take them home, allowing the guest to spend the night or by making other arrangements to keep them safe,” Ingram said.

To qualify for a free tow, the vehicle must be operable. The operator will ask for the driver’s name, home address, telephone number and exact location of the vehicle and driver. AAA will dispatch a tow truck. When the wrecker driver arrives, he will ask for identification and the keys to the vehicle.

Towing is provided at no charge for up to 10 miles.

“We’ve all heard that a DUI conviction can cost you financially. Legal fees, bail and other related expenses can amount to more than $10,000,” Ingram said. “But impaired driving can have a cost that impacts more than the wallet. Getting behind the wheel after drinking can lead to life-altering outcomes.”

A first-time DUI conviction can result in a six- to 12-month jail sentence, more for repeat offenders and for impaired drivers who injure or kill someone in a crash. Monitoring bracelets, ignition interlock equipment, license revocation and probation also place restrictions on daily routines.

With 11 offices across Alabama and more than 1,000 offices nationwide, AAA is North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization.

For more information about the Tow-for-Life program, call 205-444-8885, or visit alabama.AAA.com or Facebook/Alabama AAA.