BURNSVILLE, MN – Traffic fatalities in Iowa jumped from 315 in 2015 to more than 400 in 2016 with numerous high-profile impaired driving crashes. To help remove impaired drivers from Iowa roadways, AAA and Budweiser are launching Tow to Go across all of Iowa and Nebraska beginning this Super Bowl weekend. Those needing a safe way home can call 855-2TOW2GO or 855-286-9246 anytime this Friday, February 3rd through 6am Monday morning, February 6th. The following guidelines apply:
– Confidential local ride to a safe location within 10 miles
– Free and available to AAA members and non-members
– The AAA service vehicle transports the driver and their car
– Tow to Go is provided in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Nebraska, and Iowa
– Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions
– Visit www.AAA.com/TowtoGo for dates and availability throughout 2017
AAA and Budweiser urge everyone to plan ahead if they will be celebrating with alcohol. This means choosing a designated driver, calling a cab, staying where you are celebrating or finding another safe way home like the Tow to Go program. If you are hosting a holiday party, please do so responsibly. Check out the Great Pretenders Party Guide from the Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation to learn more.
“As the motorist’s most trusted advocate, AAA pioneered programs designed to prevent crashes, reduce injuries and save lives on our roadways,” said Kevin Bakewell, Vice President, AAA – The Auto Club Group and Board Chair of the ACG Traffic Safety Foundation. “Tow to Go is an innovative program that does just that by reducing impaired driving, and we are very excited to bring this life saving program to the state of Iowa.”
“I would like to commend AAA and Budweiser for implementing the Tow to Go Program here in Iowa,” said Roxann Ryan, Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety. “The program’s mission of discouraging drinking and driving is another way we can prevent impaired driving in our state.”
“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.”
Since its inception in 1998, Tow to Go has safely removed more than 24,000 impaired drivers from roads across the Southeast and Midwest. It is designed to be a safety net for motorists who did not plan ahead when drinking away from home on celebratory holidays. It is offered based on the availability of AAA drivers and tow trucks during times of high call volume. The Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation provides Tow to Go to help keep all motorists safe from the dangers of impaired driving.
Anheuser-Busch Wholesalers have been cosponsors of the program since its inception in 1998. Not only has the company provided funding for the service, it has also worked with local bars and restaurants to help educate servers on the importance of not over-serving their customers.
