Drink too much spiked eggnog? Grab the phone, not your car keys; AAA’s got you covered

Holiday drinkers who have one — or more — too many beers, cocktails or spiked eggnogs this holiday season will have a free way to get themselves and their vehicles home without putting anyone in danger.

AAA — The Auto Club Group is again running its life-saving “Tow to Go” program, which provides a confidential tow for impaired drivers and their vehicles to a safe location within a 10-mile radius.

It’s open to both AAA members and non-members at zero cost as a last-resort safety net in the absence of another option, like a designated driver, rideshare or public transportation.

“The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, but it also carries a greater risk of impaired driving,” AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins said in a statement.

“AAA urges Floridians to plan ahead and make responsible choices to keep the holidays both safe and festive. Tow to Go is our gift to the community, ensuring everyone gets home safely to enjoy the holidays with their loved ones.”

“Tow to Go” — available in Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Colorado (Denver), North Carolina (Charlotte) and Indiana (Fort Wayne and South Bend) — runs from 6 p.m. on Dec. 24 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 2.

Using the service is easy. Motorists just need to call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO.

The service cannot be scheduled in advance and should only be used as a backup plan, AAA said.

Since “Tow to Go” launched in 1998, the organization said it has removed nearly 30,000 impaired drivers from the road.

Alcohol-impaired driving contributes to 1 in 3 U.S. traffic deaths, and December is a particularly deadly month. In December 2023, the most recent data year available, 1,038 people died in drunk driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

From 2019 to 2023, the NHTSA recorded nearly 5,000 deaths in drunk driving accidents during December.

“The tragedy of these deaths is felt year-round,” the organization said, “but for many, most strongly during the holidays.”

So, why risk it? You shouldn’t. While celebrating and handing out gifts this holiday season, do yourself and others a kindness if you’ve had some drinks: Eschew the keys, and pick up the phone.