New Year's 2019: AAA, Anheuser-Busch Offers Free Rides

TAMPA BAY, FL -- New Year's Eve is the one time of the year when it's socially acceptable to over-imbibe. However, it's never acceptable to drink and drive.

The Florida Highway Patrol, sheriff's offices and police departments throughout Tampa Bay will be out in force watching for drunk drivers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is one of the deadliest times on the road when it comes to impaired driving.

A 2017 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that among drivers who reported consuming alcohol, 20.7 percent reported driving in the past year when they thought they had consumed too much to drive safely.

Tow To Go

Law enforcement officials remind everyone to stay safe this year by designating a sober driver, calling a cab or rideshare service or arranging to stay with a friend before kicking off your New Year's celebration.

“With millions of Americans expected to be on the roadways this holiday season, we encourage everyone to plan ahead for safe celebrations,” said Amy Stracke, managing director of traffic safety advocacy for AAA – The Auto Club Group, and executive director of the Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation.

To ensure that everyone makes it home safely, AAA and Anheuser-Busch will team up for the 20th year to offer the Tow to Go program, a partnership that began in 1998 between AAA and Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) to prevent impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel.

Over the past 20 years, the Tow to Go program has taken more than 25,000 impaired drivers off the roadways.

“The Tow to Go program is a smart option to promote the use of designated drivers and help reduce impaired driving,” said Adam Warrington, vice president, corporate social responsibility at Anheuser-Busch. “We are proud to partner with AAA and their roadside assistance drivers to make our roadways safer during the holidays.”

“No family should have to experience a needless tragedy during the holidays as a result of an impaired driver,” said Matt Nasworthy, Florida public affairs director for AAA. “Whether you call Tow to Go, use a designated driver or stay where you are celebrating, it’s critical to have a plan for getting home safely and never get behind the wheel impaired.”

The Tow to Go program will be available through 6 am on Wednesday, Jan. 2, in Florida. The program includes:

• Confidential local ride to a safe location within 10 miles
• The AAA tow truck takes the vehicle and the driver home
• Free and available to AAA members and nonmembers
• Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions
• Visit AAA.com/TowtoGo for dates and availability throughout 2018
• If you are hosting a party, please do so responsibly. Check out the Great Pretenders Party Guide from the Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation to learn more.

Call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246.

Bus Service

Additionally, some county transit services will offer free rides on New Year's Eve.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority has partnered with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to bring free, late-night transportation on all routes after 8 p.m. Select major routes (4, 52, 60, Central Avenue Trolley, Suncoast Beach Trolley and Looper) will have extended service hours until 1 a.m.

The Jolley Trolley serving along Clearwater Beach will extend regular service until 2 a.m. For information go to PSTA.net.

Check your county's transit services to see if they are offering similar services in your county.

Rideshare

In the past, New Year's Eve kept taxi services running nonstop. But now tipsy customers can call rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. But be warned. Due to the high demand, pricing for these services may rise on New Year's Eve.

Lyft Tampa Bay: New users can get $15 off their first two rides through Offers.com. Existing users can earn free rides by referring friends. Select “Free Rides” in the app to get a referral code and invite friends to join. After someone you refer takes a ride, you’ll receive a ride credit.

Uber: Use this code from Offers.com to get $15 off your first ride (for new customers only).
Existing users can earn free rides by referring new users. Select “Free Rides” in the app to get a referral code and share it with your network. Once one of your referred friends rides with Uber, your next ride will be free.

Image via AAA

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