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AAA offers New Year’s Eve Tipsy Tow service

MEDIA RELEASE

AAA Hawaii is offering its free Tipsy Tow service during the New Year’s holiday.

The service is available from 6 p.m. Friday, New Year’s Eve, until 6 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1.

Motorists, bartenders, restaurant managers, party hosts or passengers of a drinking driver may call 1-800-222-4357 for a free tow home of up to five miles. Callers simply tell the AAA operators, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” to receive the free tow and ride home.

A regular AAA Hawaii-contracted emergency road service truck will be dispatched.

Callers need to keep in mind that the service excludes rides for passengers, is restricted to a one-way, one-time ride for the driver and the destination is limited to the driver’s residence. Reservations are not accepted. Drivers can expect to pay the rate charged by the tow truck contractor for rides farther than five miles.

“We want motorists to be aware of the high crash risk from drinking and driving associated with the holiday and encourage them to think twice about getting behind the wheel if they have been drinking,” AAA Hawaii’s Regional Manager Diane Peterson said.

New Year’s Eve is a traditional time for home parties, as well as outings to restaurants and bars, and other excursions. These activities contribute to a relaxed atmosphere and more drinking, Peterson said.

“It takes only one or two drinks to slow physical and mental skills and affect vision, steering, braking, judgment and reaction time,” Peterson said. “Drivers should be aware that the law enforcement agencies are likely to be using extra patrols to look for drinking drivers during the holiday.”

Drinking drivers frequently don’t plan for other ways to get home because they are concerned about retrieving their vehicle. They cite the expense of taxis and time inconvenience as the major reasons they don’t use alternative transportation, according to AAA Hawaii.

Tipsy Tow provides motorists with a safe ride home for themselves and their vehicles instead of driving while intoxicated.

People convicted of driving under the influence could lose many of the most important things in their lives, such as family, job, dignity and money.

AAA Hawaii estimates that a first time DUI conviction can cost about $12,162 or more in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees and insurance costs.

AAA Hawaii advises that motorists can keep themselves and others safe and can avoid DUI arrests by keeping these safety tips in mind:

* At social events, designate non-drinking drivers who can get everyone home safely.
* Call a friend or family member for a ride if you have been drinking.
* Keep a cab company telephone number in your wallet so you can call for a ride home.
* As a party host, offer a variety of non-alcoholic drink alternatives and provide a gift to guests who volunteer to be designated drivers.
* Take the car keys away from friends and relatives who have had too much to drink.

AAA Hawaii is a member of the AAA federation of motor clubs. It has served members since 1921. Today, AAA Hawaii provides services to its members that include insurance, roadside assistance, maps, international and domestic travel planning and reservations; pedestrian and traffic safety programs; financial services including consumer loans, deposit accounts and credit cards.

Information about these products and services is available on AAA Hawaii’s website at www.AAA.com

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