Last Year, Half of Halloween Auto Fatalities Were Impaired

Last year, over half (52%) of all highway fatalities on Halloween night involved an impaired driver according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Frightening statistics like that combined with the increased pedestrian traffic from trick-or-treaters will make for a deadly mix again this Halloween. AAA and Budweiser urge everyone to plan ahead if they are celebrating Halloween with alcohol. That means choosing a Designated Driver, staying where they are celebrating, or arranging for another form of safe transportation.
“Halloween presents a unique danger above all other holidays because many children are out on the roads after dark” said Amy Stracke, Executive Director for AAA’s Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation. “If you’re going to be on the road, look out for those little ones. If you’re going to be drinking, don’t put their lives at risk by getting behind the wheel.”
For those that don’t plan ahead, Tow to Go will be there to provide a safe way home. AAA members and non-members can call for a Tow to Go ride anytime Friday, October 28th through 6 a.m.on Tuesday, November 1st. AAA will then safely transport them and their vehicle home or somewhere safe within 10 miles.
“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. 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.
Tow to Go can be reached at (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246.