Tipsy Tow, Safe And Sober Cab Ride For New Year's Eve Partyers

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A new survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found in the past year, 10 percent of drivers have driven when they thought their blood alcohol level might have been close to or over the legal limit.

AAA is asking people never to get behind the wheel when impaired, and the organization is encouraging those who plan to celebrate New Year's Eve with a few drinks to ride rather than drive.

Nationwide, an average of 80 people a year are killed in alcohol-related crashes on New Year's Day. In Oklahoma in 2009, 3,452 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes. In the same year, 209 people were killed.

"Every alcohol-related fatality is preventable. It is everyone's responsibility to make the right decision before getting behind the wheel," Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma, said.

AAA is once again offering its free Tipsy Tow service to people whose destination is within a 15-mile radius.  The service is available to AAA members and non-members through Jan. 1, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton, Ardmore, Shawnee, Enid and Muskogee. The number is (800) AAA-HELP, or (800)222-4357.

J. Colbert Injury Lawyers is also teaming up with Thunder Cab for a Safe and Sober Cab Ride Home.  They'll provide a free cab ride if the fare is $30 or less.  Passengers can call (405) 600-6161 for a ride.  They must mention the law firm's name to receive the free ride.