Tipsy drivers can call for a free tow on New Year's Eve

Yumans who have had too much to drink while celebrating the New Years holiday this weekend can get home safely by calling to have themselves and their car towed home for free.

“All you have to do is give them your name and your location and they will come and get you,” said Russel McCloud, a Yuma County Supervisor and the general manager of Accurate Automotive Attention. “If you have had to much too drink, it is the safest way home.”

McCloud is referring to AAA Arizona's “Tipsy Tow” service, which is available from 6 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday and designed to get drivers who feel they are incapable of driving themselves home off the roads.

The best part about it, McCloud said, is that you don't have to belong to AAA Arizona to request the service. You can request a Tipsy Tow by calling (800) 222-4357.

Tipsy Tow provides a free one-way ride for the driver, one passenger and the vehicle for a distance of up to 10 miles. For tows that exceed 10 miles, McCloud said motorists will be charged the towing company's standard rate, which is about $3 per mile.

“Ten miles will get you about anywhere in Yuma,” McCloud said. “It can take anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes for them to come and get you.”

Tipsy Tow's service will not take the driver to another drinking establishment, a repair facility, or any other location besides their home. The only exception is a hotel — as long as the driver is or plans to become a guest there.

Services not provided by Tipsy Tow include requests for a vehicle start, flat tire change, gas delivery, “taxi” service and requests to transport more than two people with the vehicle.

For those not planning to use the service, it is important to know Yuma police will have additional officers on the streets over the holiday weekend to stop drivers under the influence. If convicted of a drunken driving offense, even for the first time, AAA estimates that the cost can be as high as $10,000 for fines, penalties, restitution, ignition interlock installation and maintenance, legal fees and increased insurance costs.

AAA Arizona reminds drivers it only takes one or two drinks to slow physical and mental skills, affecting vision, steering, braking, judgment and reaction time.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.