AAA Alabama to help those who party too hard

By: Donathan Prater Staff Writer | Opelika Auburn News
Published: July 03, 2009

While many Americans will be celebrating the nation’s history this weekend, one auto service is working hard to ensure they do it safely.

AAA Alabama is offering free towing over the July Fourth weekend as part of its Tow-for-Life Program aimed at keeping impaired drivers off roadways.

Now in its 21st year, the Tow-for-Life program is typically offered during the New Year’s Eve period.

This will mark the first year that the service will be provided to both AAA members and non-members during the July Fourth holiday, said Clay Ingram, AAA Alabama public relations and marketing manager.

The Tow-for-Life program will be available starting today at 6 p.m. until midnight July 4.

When a person requests the AAA Tow-for-Life service, the AAA operator asks for the driver’s name, home address and location of the vehicle, after which a tow truck is dispatched. The vehicle is towed to the driver’s home for free for up to a 10-mile distance.

Ingram said it is imipossible to ignore the reality of the higher rate of alcohol-related incidents over holiday weekends.

“Holiday weekends tend to have a much higher rate of drinking and driving, and we are providing this program to help keep our highways safer for all motorists and also help raise awareness about the potential dangers,” he said. “If this service keeps even one impaired driver off the road, it’s more than worth the effort.”

For more information about the AAA Tow-for-Life program, call 205-978-7054.