Independence Day is One of the Most Deadly Travel Holidays
While Independence Day celebrations are traditionally known for outdoor events, fireworks and family get-togethers, the iconic U.S. holiday has become notorious for crashes and fatalities on the road.
In 2016, 188 people were killed in a crash involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher during the Independence Day holiday. This represents a 28 percent increase from the previous year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“Celebrating our country’s independence is a wonderful tradition across our nation, but it’s important to remain responsible and safe throughout the holiday,” 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. “Everyone deserves to get home safely.”
To encourage those celebrating the holiday from getting behind the wheel impaired, AAA, its Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation and Budweiser are offering their free Tow to Go program. AAA predicts a record-breaking 46.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home this Independence Day, the highest number since AAA started its tracking 18 years ago.
“We encourage everyone who’s celebrating to plan ahead, make arrangements for safe transportation and avoid driving impaired at all costs,” said John Pecchio, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “To help ensure your safety, keep the Tow to Go number handy by programming it into your cell phone so you don’t have to search for it later.”
For anyone who needs a safe ride home, Tow to Go is available from Tuesday, July 3, until 6 a.m. on Thursday, July 5. Tow to Go is available by calling (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246.
The following guidelines apply to the Tow to Go program:
| Tow To Go Service Areas | Phone Number |
| Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Indiana (Fort Wayne and South Bend only) | (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246 |
- 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 non-members
- 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.
Tow to Go, now in its 20th year, has safely removed more than 25,000 impaired drivers from roads across the Southeast and the Midwest since 1998. Tow to Go is designed to prevent impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel and risking the lives of other motorists by providing them a free, confidential ride 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.”
