Services available to ensure Fourth of July celebrants don’t drive drunk

By Ricardo Torres-Cortez

Sunday, July 3, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Services are being offered this Fourth of July weekend to ensure tipsy celebrants steer clear of driving home.

The AAA “Tipsy Tow” program in Nevada will take anyone home, along with their vehicle, for free between 6 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday. Users of the service don’t have to be AAA members.

“Drivers, potential passengers, party hosts, bartenders and restaurant managers” can call 800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for free tows for up to 10 miles, according to AAA.

Aside from the driver, passengers will be able to ride for free as long as there is enough room in the tow truck transporting the vehicle. They will be taken to the driver’s home. Reservations cannot be made.

Meanwhile, ride-sharing application Uber is running a discount campaign through July 5. It will have codes available to cover new users’ rides at a cost of up to $15, of which $5 will be donated to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, according to the app.

Nevada law enforcement agencies, which will have increased patrols, also will distribute discount ride cards during traffic stops, Uber said.

The number of traffic fatalities resulting from drunken driving is up in Nevada this year, North Las Vegas police said. In search of drunken drivers, Joining Forces, a multi-agency task force, will have extra patrols in the state’s roads through July 18.

For tips and more information, go to zerofatalitiesnv.com/dont-drive-impaired.