driver safety

Tow To Go

Impaired driving significantly increases the likelihood of a traffic crash. AAA demonstrates its commitment to eliminate impaired driving through education and advocacy. The long-standing goal of AAA - The Auto Club Group’s Tow to Go program is to prevent injuries and deaths caused by impaired drivers in the communities targeted by our efforts. It reminds partygoers to plan ahead and choose a designated driver, stay where they’re celebrating, or arrange other safe transportation.

Call Tow to Go

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Safety is at the Heart of All We Do

Tow to Go operates on most major holidays and offers a free ride to impaired drivers and their vehicles who do not have a safe alternative. Since 1998, the program has successfully removed nearly 30,000 impaired drivers from the road, saving lives. It’s never safe to drive impaired, so please be sure to plan ahead.

Benefits of Tow to Go

Free confidential ride available to AAA Members and non-members
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The AAA tow truck transports the vehicle and driver home or somewhere safe within 10 miles.
Appointments cannot be scheduled in advance to use Tow to Go. It is designed as a safety net for those that did not plan ahead. Always choose a designated driver before celebrating.
In some situations, AAA may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual a safe ride home.
Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions.

Tow to Go Service Areas

Christmas/New Year’s:

FL, GA, IA, MI, ND, NE, TN, WI, CO (Denver), NC (Charlotte) and IN (Fort Wayne/South Bend)

All Other Covered Holidays:

Includes St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving.

FL, GA, IA, MI, NC, ND, NE, SC, TN, WI, CO (Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs) and IN (Fort Wayne/South Bend)

Holiday	Date (Day) of Holiday	Days/Times Tow to Go is Provided
Christmas - New Year’s	December 25th (Thursday) January 1st, 2026 (Thursday)	Wednesday 6:00PM 12/24/2025 TO 6:00AM Friday 01/02/2026
St. Patrick’s Day	March 17th (Tuesday)	Monday 6:00PM 03/16/2026 TO 6:00AM Wednesday 03/18/2026
Memorial Day	May 25th (Monday)	Friday 6:00PM 05/22/2026 TO 6:00AM Tuesday 05/26/2026
Independence Day	July 4th (Saturday)	Friday 6:00PM 07/03/2026 TO 6:00AM Monday 07/06/2026
Labor Day	September 7th (Monday)	Friday 6:00PM 09/04/2026 TO 6:00AM Tuesday 09/08/2026
Thanksgiving	November 26th (Thursday)	Wednesday 6:00PM 11/25/2026 TO 6:00AM Monday 11/30/2026
Christmas - New Year’s	December 25th (Friday) January 1st, 2027 (Friday)	Thursday 6:00PM 12/24/2026 TO 6:00AM Monday 01/04/2027

Other Safe Ride Home Options

While Tow to Go is an excellent resource, the best strategy is to plan your safe ride before you even leave the house. Here are three alternatives to consider and have planned out prior to your fun night out.

Over the shoulder view of young woman using mobile app on smart phone to arrange ride share service.

Set up a ride-share service

Ride-sharing apps have become a go-to option for many people. They offer a convenient way to get a ride at almost any time of day.

How to prepare:

Download the app in advance: Don’t wait until you need a ride to download the app. Set up your account and payment information at home so it’s ready when you need it.
Check for drivers: Before you head out, open the app to get a sense of driver availability in the area you’ll be. In some rural areas, there may be fewer drivers.
Verify your ride: When your driver arrives, always confirm their name, license plate number and car model before getting in. This ensures you’re getting into the correct vehicle.

You can also call a traditional taxi or shuttle service in your area. Look up local company numbers and save them in your phone as a backup.

Use public transportation

If you live in an area with a bus or train system, public transportation can be an affordable and safe way to travel. It removes the stress of driving and parking, allowing you to relax.

Tips for using public transport:

Check schedules ahead of time: Public transit often runs on a different schedule at night or during holidays. Check the last departure times and pickup locations online before you go out.
Map your route: Use a transit app or website to plan your route from the venue to your home. Know which stops you need and if any transfers are required.
Stay aware: When traveling at night, stick to well-lit bus stops or train stations. It’s always a good idea to travel with a friend if possible and be aware of your surroundings.

Women hands keys to a friend before having a drink.

Choose a designated driver

The designated driver is a time-tested method for ensuring everyone gets home safely. This approach requires a little bit of planning and communication among your group.

How to make it work:

Decide early: Establish who will be the designated driver at the beginning of the night, before anyone starts drinking. This person agrees to abstain from alcohol completely.
Support your driver: Make sure the designated driver feels included in the fun. Offer to buy them non-alcoholic drinks or food as a thank you.
Hand over the keys: A good practice is for the designated driver to hold onto everyone’s car keys. This prevents anyone from making a poor decision to drive home on their own.

A truly designated driver does not consume any alcohol or a substance that impairs their ability to operate a vehicle safely. Even one drink can impair judgment and reaction time, so it’s important that the chosen driver sticks to their commitment.

Plan ahead for a safe night

Celebrations are meant to be happy occasions, and a little planning can keep them that way. By knowing your options from the AAA Tow to Go program to ride-sharing and designated drivers, you can make responsible choices that protect yourself and others on the road. Always have a plan for getting home safely.

Tow To Go Toll Free Number (855) 2-Tow-2-Go