Those hoping to unwind with a little booze during the extended Labor Day weekend will be comforted to know that free rides home and free vehicle tows are being offered in various places throughout the country. While no one should set out on their holiday break with the intention of drinking until he or she drops, companies like AAA and Bud Light are teaming up to get people home safely – and their cars stored where they can retrieve them after sobering up.
In Jackson, Tennessee, for example, WBBJ TV put out a notice that the hotline at 855-286-9246 could be called should anyone need a lift between last Friday night and this Tuesday. “The program is meant to serve as a last resort,” noted their website, which was careful not to endorse drinking to excess. At the same time, WBBJ TV realized the reality of alcohol abuse in the area and subsequently informed locals of the AAA-Bud Light sponsored program. Free rides and tows are available to tipsy folks within a 10-mile radius.
The program is meant to serve as a last resort.
Similarly, News 4 Tucson of Arizona informed their communities of the local AAA program, but in this area, the service is only available between 6:00 p.m. tonight and 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. Residents of Arizona needing a lift home within 10 miles can receive it free from AAA by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP.
Details concerning AAA’s Tipsy Tow program can be retrieved from AAA.com/TipsyTow. Drivers are only entitled to one-way rides. Since it was recently discovered that four million Americans admit to drunk driving, ride-assistance programs for the drunk and the half-drunk might not be such a bad idea.
While some companies are really trying to benefit their communities’ safety with programs like these, drinkers are not encouraged to consider them a free pass for excessive drinking. Celebrate responsibly this Labor Day weekend, but if you find yourself in any trouble, you know who to call.
