HOLIDAY DRINKERS CAN CALL FOR 'TOW'.Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer While the California Highway Patrol highway patrol n. A state law enforcement organization whose police officers patrol the public highways. will crack down on tipsy motorists this New Year's weekend, the Auto Club will drive the drunks to their bunks. Law enforcement and community agencies are offering numerous incentives for partygoers to pocket the car keys or hand them off to a designated sober driver. ``This time of year has a high crash risk connected with drunk driving,'' said Elaine Beno, a spokeswoman for the Automobile Club of Southern California The Automobile Club of Southern California was founded December 13, 1900 in Los Angeles as one of the nation's first motor clubs dedicated to improving roads, proposing traffic laws and improvement of overall driving conditions. . ``We encourage people to think twice before getting behind the wheel.'' The Auto Club will offer its ``Tipsy Tow'' service to anyone who asks, from 6 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Sunday. Any driver and his car, excluding passengers, will be driven home free of charge by calling (800) 400-4AAA AAA: see American Automobile Association. (Triple A) A common single-cell battery used in a myriad of electronic devices of all variety. Like its double A (AA) cousin, it provides 1.5 volts of DC power. When used in series, the voltage is multiplied. . A studio-based coalition of celebrities and community organizations will also offer bar and restaurant discounts for those who pledge to drive sober. Recording Artists, Actors and Athletes Against Drunk Driving will also offer alcohol-free drinks to designated drivers designated driver Public health A person at a social function who volunteers, or is 'volunteered' to chauffeur inebriated revellers chez elles at festivity's end. Cf Squash it. of three or more through its Web site, www.radd.org. ``One size does not fit all,'' said RADD President Erin Meluso. ``This is California - we're unique. We have long driving distances. The most important thing is to plan ahead.'' Among RADD's recommendations for New Year's revelers: --Appoint a designated driver. --Call a cab, AAA Tipsy Tow, or a friend for a ride home. --Arrange to sleep where you party at a friend's or a hotel. Despite a decades-long campaign to clear drunks off the road, thousands are killed each year in alcohol-related collisions. Of the nearly 4,100 traffic deaths in California last year, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the California Highway Patrol, 1,500 involved drinking. Nearly 32,000 motorists were injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. because of alcohol. Last year, the CHP CHP Chapter CHP Combined Heat and Power CHP California Highway Patrol CHP Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi (Turkish: Republican People's Party) CHP Chemical Hygiene Plan (OSHA) CHP Community Health Plan arrested nearly 87,000 drunk drivers. For this reason, the CHP will dispatch every available officer to crack down on drunks, speeders and motorists without seat belts. The strike force, known as Operation Star, will continue through Monday. For the first time, a restricted driver's license Noun 1. driver's license - a license authorizing the bearer to drive a motor vehicle driver's licence, driving licence, driving license license, permit, licence - a legal document giving official permission to do something will be issued in 2006 to DUI violators. ``Enjoy New Year's celebrations,'' warned CHP Chief Gary Dominguez, in a statement. ``But if you're going to be drinking, arrange in advance to have a designated driver.'' Dana Bartholomew, (818) 713-3730 dana.bartholomew(at)dailynews.com |
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