Operation Tipsy Tow Offers Free Ride Home During the Holidays

Program Aims to Raise Awareness and Decrease Fatalities during the Holiday Season

Helena, Mont. 12/13/10 - The holiday season is a time filled with family, friends and laughter. Unfortunately the season can be one of the deadliest and most dangerous times of the year due to an increase in impaired driving. In 2009 alone, 97 lives were lost in alcohol or drug related traffic crashes on Montana’s roads. The number of fatalities has risen from 93 fatalities in 2008.*

“Alcohol is a factor in over 43 percent of all traffic deaths in Montana; many of these fatal accidents occur around the holidays.” said Denice Harris, AAA Spokeswoman. “Our culture in Montana that says it’s ok to drink and drive has to change in order for these numbers to decrease.  Please, if you’ve had too much cheer, call a cab or Operation Tipsy Tow so you and others make it home safely.”

AAA, Blue Cross Blue Shield and local towing contractors join together again this year to offer Operation Tipsy Tow to residents in Billings, Bozeman, Helena and Missoula. The program will run December 17 through January 1, providing alcohol-impaired drivers a free tow within a 10 mile radius of the pick up location.

Alcohol-impaired drivers inside the city limits can call the local Operation Tipsy Tow phone number below to receive a free and confidential ride home. 

                                          Contact

              Billings              Agave Towing at 860-9574

              Bozeman           Elite Towing at 586-7306

              Helena               Elite Towing at 443-6068

              Missoula            Red’s Towing at 728-0040

AAA advises Montanan’s hosting a holiday gathering to plan a safe party. The following tips are a great way to ensure your bash is both festive and responsible:

• Put a festive spirit into your party with holiday tunes, entertaining games and an array of exciting non-alcoholic drinks.
• Serve alcoholic beverages yourself so you know how many drinks each individual consumes.
• Research alternative transportation ahead of time such as taxi services in your area that will be in service during the holiday season.
• Prepare for overnight guests. 
• Provide healthy snacks and encourage eating along with drinking.

AAA MountainWest is dedicated to providing its over 170,000 members in Alaska, Montana and Wyoming with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services. A fully tax-paying, not-for-profit corporation, AAA MountainWest, Inc. works for the improvement of motoring and traveling conditions and is a leader for travel, civic and safety issues. In 2008, AAA was voted the #1 socially responsible business brand in America by Landor’s BrandAsset® Valuator. AAA can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com. To have up-to-date news and safety information from AAA delivered right to your desktop, sign-up for the new RSS Feed at http://mtw.aaashare.com/index.php#rss.

* Source- Montana Department of Transportation.