Drunk-Driving Alternatives for New Year's Eve

There are only a couple days left in the year, and I keep seeing this post on Facebook:

“No excuses, folks. Don't drink and drive–and don't ride with anybody who does. Tipsy Tow offered by AAA: You don't have to be a AAA member, from 6 p.m.–6 a.m. on New Year's Eve/Day they will take your drunk self and your car home for FREE. Save this number... 1-800-222-4357. Please re-post this if you don't mind. Isn't that a wonderful thing for AAA to do! Thank you, AAA!!!!”

You see, I never simply copy and paste anything–I always do a little research first. This was one I simply could not pass by without checking it out. After all, if this is true, what a WONDERFUL service for AAA to be providing! AAA would be saving so many lives it's almost mind-boggling.

Naturally, the first place I checked was with AAA. Their full, nation-wide, list can be found here. The following list also includes additional listing for similar services.

Dependable Designated Drivers

Phone: 314-361-4444

Hours: 8p.m.-12a.m. Sunday-Wednesday;

8p.m.-3a.m. Thursday-Saturday

Details: A driver drives you home in your own car

Scooter Guy
Phone: 314-255-1800

Hours: 9 a.m-9 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m.-3 a.m. Friday-Saturday; 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday

Details: A driver drives you home in your own vehicle

St. Louis Designated Driver
Phone: 314-330-6598

Hours: 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Sunday

Details: A driver drives you home in your own vehicle

Be My DD

Phone: 1-877-U-BEMYDD

Hours: Variable

Details: Option for driver bringing you home or for a personal driver through hours you set

And, naturally, there are always the time-tested, conventional ways. Have a friend remain sober to drive a group. Most bars will provide free soda for a Designated Driver–just let your bartender know who your DD is. Or, simply take a cab. I know I am missing a few companies on this list. If you have their information, please do not hesitate to leave a comment to complete this list.

ABC Cab

(800) 829-4222

ABC Checker Cab

314) 725-2111

Laclede Cab

314) 652-3456

County Cab / Yellow Cab

314) 993-8294 or 636-532-6699

It's almost New Year's Eve. Make your plans now–this way, you can celebrate and do it safely. Don't start the year off by becoming a statistic and don't make your friends and family lose a loved one. On average, each year approximately 16,000 are killed in alcohol related crashes and more than one-third of all fatal traffic accidents involve at least one person with a BAC over 0.08 percent.  With this many alternative options to drunk driving, I'd like to see those numbers be lowered in 2012.

Take the time now. Make your plan. Enjoy yourself, but do it safely.

Start the new year by saving a life.

"I never worry about being driven to drink, I only worry about being driven home." – W.C. Fields