Special to The Post-Searchlight

The American Automobile Association and Bud Light will help motorists get home safely during the Independence Day weekend with the Tow to Go program. The service provides a confidential local ride and tow home from any bar or restaurant — free of charge — by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP (4357). Services are offered throughout Florida, Georgia, and West and Middle Tennessee. Anyone, AAA member or not, can call for a Tow to Go ride, Wednesday, July 4, through Saturday, July 7.

The Auto Club Group and Bud Light have provided the Tow to Go service for more than 14 years because it allows AAA to protect the freedom and mobility of everyone on our roadways. The program’s mission is to discourage an intoxicated driver from getting behind the wheel and risking the lives and safety of other motorists. Not only does the program remove the intoxicated driver, but it also enables AAA and Bud Light to remind the public during major holiday weekends about the importance of choosing a designated driver or making other plans for a safe ride home.

“This program is invaluable because it brings attention to the dangers of drinking and driving beyond just giving an intoxicated driver a safe ride home,” said Gerry Gutowski, Sr. Vice President, Automotive Services, The Auto Club Group.

Tow to Go is a service provided by the Club’s Traffic Safety Foundation and donations made by Bud Light.

“The Tow to Go program is a simple and effective way to help prevent drunk driving,” said Kathy Casso, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility, Anheuser-Busch.  “We are proud to join forces with AAA and their team of emergency roadside service drivers on this great program that helps keep our roads safe.”

Anheuser-Busch, maker of Bud Light, has been a co-sponsor 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 throughout Florida, Georgia, and west and middle Tennessee to help educate servers on the importance of not over serving their customers.

“This program was originated in Florida by a tow truck driver who had seen one too many horrific crashes and wanted to do something different that would get everyone’s attention—and get people thinking about the risks of overindulging on Independence Day weekend,” Gutowski said.