By DREW GARDNER
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE
(WATE) - If you raise a toast this New Year's or uncork some champagne at a holiday party and
find yourself without safe way home, you don't have to worry about the drive home.
AAA is
bringing back its 'Tow To Go' service for drivers in Knoxville and its
surrounding counties.
"New
Year's Day is historically, nationally the most the most dangerous day for drunk
driving and we felt it was important to bring this back and have it available
for those who need it," said Don Lindsey with AAA of
Tennessee.
Lindsey
says in 2011 alone 30 percent of all fatal accidents in Tennessee involved alcohol. That's something he hopes will be prevented this year by more people planning
ahead.
"The
first resort should be planning, thinking about how it's going and then if it all
falls through 'Tow to Go' is a last resort," said Lindsey.
"The
best thing to do is just not binge drink to begin with where you get drunk,"
said Karen Pershing with the Metropolitan Drug Commission.
Pershing
says a designated driver is always the best option, but you should have a back-up
plan in case that falls through.
"Sometimes
the person that commits to being the designated driver may decide they want to
drink when they get to a party," said Pershing.
If all
options fail and you need to call Tow To Go, the free service will be available from Friday, Dec. 21 through
New Year's
Day.
AAA
will bring you, your vehicle and one passenger home anywhere up to 10
miles.
"It's a protection, not just for the people who are
considering themselves too drunk to drive, but for all the rest of us out there
who might be out at that time of day," said Lindsey.
If you want to request the Tow To Go service, the number to call is
800-234-1222.
"New Year's Day is historically, nationally the most the most dangerous day for drunk driving and we felt it was important to bring this back and have it available for those who need it," said Don Lindsey with AAA of Tennessee.
"The best thing to do is just not binge drink to begin with where you get drunk," said Karen Pershing with the Metropolitan Drug Commission.
