Between 2003 and 2012, some 932 people were killed in crashes involving a drunken driver in Montana, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many of those have happened during the holiday season following company Christmas parties, holiday gatherings and ringing in a new year.

If  you plan to party and imbibe alcohol, do not even think about getting behind the wheel to drive home. There is no need.

AAA MountainWest is offering Operation Tipsy Tow to revelers, both members and non-members, in the following communities:

  • Billings
  • Helena, which includes East Helena and Montana City)
  • Kalispell/Whitefish
  • Livingston
  • Missoula
  • Billings
  • Bozeman, which includes Belgrade
  • Hamilton

The holiday season can be a particularly dangerous time for Montanans because more people are out celebrating and some choose to drive impaired, according to AAA spokeswoman Anna O’Donnell. AAA MountainWest hopes Operation Tipsy Tow encourages people to make the responsible choice not to get behind the wheel after drinking.

Holiday revelers can call Operation Tipsy Tow at (800) AAA-HELP (222-4357) for a free and confidential ride home and vehicle tow of up to 10 miles in Montana.

The program is now underway and runs through January 3 at 8 a.m. The service can be used as many times as needed by anyone.

“Operation Tipsy Tow is growing every year in terms of the number of people who use the program,” O’Donnell said in a news release. “We’re proud of that fact because it means more and more Montanans and Alaskans are making responsible choices while celebrating the holidays. If the program takes even one would-be impaired driver off the road this year, Operation Tipsy Tow will be a success.”

 

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