It’s no secret that St. Patrick’s Day is a big day for drinking—and also driving under the influence. But for those living in Northern California, Utah, Nevada, or Oklahoma, the local Automobile Clubs (AAA) are helping prevent drivers from drinking and getting behind the wheel by offering to take them and their cars home for free.
The program is called “Tipsy Tow” and is open to everyone—even those without a AAA membership. The service will take you and your car wherever you need to go—up to 10 miles—at no charge. The goal is to prevent DUI related crashes, which make up about about 36% of highway deaths among people ages 16 to 24 nationwide each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
According to the organization’s website, AAA is offering safe ride programs in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Dakota for this St. Patty’s Day, as well.
“Over the five-day St. Patrick’s Day holiday period last year, the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office says 158 crashes involved alcohol or drugs,” Chuck Mai, spokesperson for AAA Oklahoma, told KFOR. “During all of 2014, such crashes killed 151 and injured 1,598 in the state. Every time we climb behind the wheel after drinking, we’re rolling the dice.”
Last year’s St. Patrick’s Day proved to be an especially busy evening for the California Highway Patrol, as well. They made over 120 DUI arrests throughout the state. The NHTSA reported 867 California highway deaths in 2013 alone, and 29% of those deaths were due to driving with alcohol levels exceeding the legal limit.
“Many people enjoy getting into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, which tends to involve plenty of celebrating,” AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris told the Folsom Telegraph. “If you’ve been drinking alcohol, don’t get behind the wheel. Give AAA a call and we’ll make sure you get home safely.”
The service will be available starting on March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) at 6 p.m. and will run all the way till 4 a.m. or 6 a.m. (depending on the state) on March 18. To get a Tipsy Tow, all you need to do is call 800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP) and say, “I need a Tipsy Tow.” Friends, bartenders, restaurant managers, etc., can also call on behalf on someone else.
Though you cannot make a reservation, additional passengers are welcome, as long as there is room. AAA has offered similar programs in the past on holidays such as New Year’s Eve and hopes to do more initiatives like this in the future.