The egg nog might not yet be flowing, but AAA is anticipating a spike in holiday-related drinking Thursday and is offering its "Tipsy Tow" service to assist impaired drivers.
AAA offers a free 10-mile tow home for non-teetotalers and their vehicles through the program, which is open to AAA members and non-members alike. Passengers will be offered a ride home if there is room in the tow truck to safely transport them, according to AAA.
The service is available 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day until 6 a.m. Friday.
The California Highway Patrol will be extra alert during their Thanksgiving maximum enforcement period, which begins after 6 p.m. on Wednesday and continues through midnight Sunday.
According to the CHP, 21 people were killed in collisions throughout the state on Thanksgiving last year and 1,546 arrests were made for driving under the influence.
Drivers, potential passengers, party hosts, bartenders and restaurant managers can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow home up to 10 miles. Those requesting the service should tell the AAA operator, "I need a Tipsy Tow." AAA offers the service for select holidays and special events. Tipsy Tows will also be available on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Bay City News Service contributed to this report.
