Last year, over half of all highway fatalities on Halloween night involved an impaired driver according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Frightening statistics like that combined with the increased pedestrian traffic from trick-or-treaters can make for a deadly mix again this Halloween.
“Halloween presents a unique danger above all other holidays because many children are out on the roads after dark” said Amy Stracke, Executive Director for AAA’s Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation. “If you’re going to be on the road, look out for those little ones. If you’re going to be drinking, don’t put their lives at risk by getting behind the wheel.”
For those that don’t plan ahead, AAA says the Tow to Go program will be there to provide a safe way home. AAA members and non-members can call for a Tow to Go ride anytime Tuesday, October 31st through 6 a.m. on Wednesday, November 1st. AAA will then safely transport them and their vehicle home or somewhere safe within 10 miles.
“The Tow to Go program is an effective way to promote the use of Designated Drivers and help prevent impaired driving,” said Katja Zastrow, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility for Anheuser-Busch. “We are proud to partner with AAA and their roadside assistance drivers to help keep our roads safe.”
Since its inception in 1998, Tow to Go has safely removed nearly 25,000 impaired drivers from roads across the Southeast and Midwest. It is designed to be a safety net for motorists who did not plan ahead when drinking away from home on celebratory holidays.
The number to call for a ride are (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246.