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“Operation Tipsy Tow” Offered on St. Patrick’s Day

March 5, 2010

“Operation Tipsy Tow” Offered on St. Patrick’s Day

Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Regional Medical Center’s Injury Prevention and Safe Communities program is partnering with Doug’s Towing of Cheyenne to offer free rides and tows to drivers who have been drinking on St. Patrick’s Day.

Drivers from Doug’s Towing will be available from 7 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, to 7 a.m. on March 18. Those who need a ride that night can call (307) 635-8223.

“Doug’s Towing will give you a ride and will tow your vehicle to anywhere within 10 miles from where you’re picked up, within the Cheyenne city limits,” said Stephanie Heitsch, Cheyenne Regional’s coordinator for Injury Prevention/Safe Communities.”

The service is free, although tipping drivers is encouraged.

In Wyoming, one-third of all traffic fatalities that occurred in 2007 involved drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of .08 or higher. Laramie County alone accounted for 6% of the alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities.

In 2007, nearly 13,000 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or a motorcycle operator with a BAC of .08 or higher, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“St. Patrick’s Day has become a big night out for many Americans—especially young adults. But it has also become a dangerous night on our roadways due to impaired drivers,” said Heitsch.

“It’s important for people to realize that so-called buzzed driving is still considered drunk driving,” said Heitsch. “The best plan is to designate a sober driver before the festivities begin. We are grateful that Doug’s Towing is also available for those who don’t have a designated driver.”

For a safer St. Patrick’s Day, Cheyenne Regional’s Injury Prevention and Safe Communities program offers these simple reminders:

  • Designate a sober driver before going out to drink, and give that person your keys.
  • If you’re impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely. You can also call “Operation Tipsy Tow” at 307-635-8223.
  • Promptly report drunk drivers to law enforcement.
  • If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take the person’s keys and make safe arrangements for transportation.

Doug’s Towing has offered “Operation Tipsy Tow” during the major holidays since 1986.