Community Corner

Auto Club Offers Tipsy Tow for July 4 Holiday

Intoxicated drivers can get their car towed to their home up to seven miles away at no charge.

The Automobile Club of Southern California is once again offering its free Tipsy Tow service for intoxicated drivers during the Fourth of July holiday.

The service, which employs regular auto club-contracted roadside service companies, will be available from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. A free tow home of up to seven miles will be available by calling 800-400-4222 and telling the operator, "I need a Tipsy Tow," according to an Auto Club statement.

There are some limitations to take note of:

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  • Passengers don't get rides.
  • The service is limited to a one-way, one-time ride for the driver. 
  • Vehicles will only be towed to the driver's residence.

Regular tow service rates apply for any ride longer than seven miles, according to the Auto Club.

"It only takes one or two drinks to slow physical and mental skills that affect vision, steering, braking judgement and reaction time," Auto Club senior researcher Steve Bloch said. He noted that the California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies will run sobriety checkpoints and extra patrols to look for intoxicated drivers during the holiday period.

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Nearly 200,000 drivers were arrested for driving while intoxicated in California in 2010, the last year for which results are available. A recent survey found that 14 percent of motorists admitted to driving at least once in the past year when they felt they were probably over the legal limit, according to the Auto Club.

"This is entirely preventable," Bloch said.

This report was compiled with information from City News Service.


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