HOUGHTON — AAA recently announced it will offer its free “Tow to Go” ride service for Memorial Day weekend.

“Tow to Go” is a program offering free, confidential rides to both AAA members and the general public. The goal of the program is to reduce the dangers of impaired and drunk driving. The AAA tow truck will provide transportation for drivers and their vehicles, either to their home or another safe location within ten miles of the pickup zone.

Rides will be available beginning 6 p.m. tonight until 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Despite the program offered at no cost, AAA and Tow to Go still encourage community members to “plan ahead and choose a designated driver, stay where they’re celebrating, or arrange other safe transportation.” AAA explicitly states the program is for emergencies, and should only be used as a last resort.

“AAA-The Auto Club Group (ACG) started ‘Tow to Go’ in 1998 to prevent impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel and risking the lives of other motorists.” said Adrienne Woodland, a representative for the group. “This program also enables ACG to remind the public to always plan ahead when celebrating with alcohol or other impairing substances.”

“Our goal is the same as every year,” Woodland continued. “To help remove impaired drivers from the road before disaster strikes. The Auto Club Group has provided the Tow to Go program for more than 25 years.” In those 25 years, the program has safely removed almost 30,000 impaired drivers from the road.

Tow to Go is also available during Christmas, New Year’s, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and other major holidays. A full list of dates is available at acg.aaa.com.

To get a “Tow to Go”, call 855-286-9246. More information about the program is available online at acg.aaa.com.