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How to avoid ringing in new year with DUI

Date Posted: Wed, Dec 30 2015, Tucson News Now
This year, Arizona law enforcement made nearly 25,000 DUI arrests, according to statistics from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

Nearly 7,000 of those arrests were for extreme DUI, meaning the offender's blood alcohol concentration was more than .15.

In Arizona, it is illegal for anyone to operate a vehicle if they have an alcohol concentration of .08 or more within two hours of driving or being in actual physical control of the vehicle, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

With New Year's Eve just around the corner, many Arizona residents are gearing up for a weekend of parties and drinking.

Luckily for them, there are plenty of transportation options they can use to avoid being another DUI statistic.

1. Tipsy Tow

AAA Arizona is offering its "Tipsy Tow" services for New Year's Eve from 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 through 6 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1.

Tipsy tow provides a free, 10-mile tow and ride home for those unable to make it on their own, and who do not have a designated driver. 

Mileage beyond the 10-mile limit is charged to the motorist at a standard towing rate. The service does not include roadside assistance.

Simply call 1-800-AAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357) between the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. deadline; state that a "tipsy tow" is needed, then provide the driver's name, home address, phone number and vehicle/driver location.

2. Uber

Uber, a ride-sharing service, has teamed up with the Pima County Attorney’s Office to reduce DUIs.

First-time users can use the promo code FREETRIP for a free first ride up to $20.

For every first ride, Uber will donate $5 to the Arizona Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Those who have already used Uber can use the promo code EGGNOGAZ to be entered to win a free round-trip ride up to $100 each way on New Year’s Eve. Every ride counts as an entry.

3. Lyft

Lyft is another ride-sharing service that is available in Tucson 24/7.

Lyft is also partnering with MADD.

According to its website, for everyone who pledges to help keep streets safe this year, Lyft will donate $1 to MADD to support their mission to end drunk driving.

4. Public Transportation

The Sun Link streetcar will run regular service hours on New Year's Eve until 2 a.m.

On New Year's Day, however, most services will operate on a Sunday schedule.

See the full schedule here: Sun Tran routes for New Year's Day

5. Snag a free ride back with Discount Cab

According to Discount Cab's website, riders who have had too much to drink can call and ask for a free ride back.

The customer service representative will then provide a code that must be used to redeem the free ride.

A Discount Cab will then drive them home safely and return them to their car the next day, free of charge.

Riders only have to pay for the original fare home.

IMPORTANT: Riders must call to book a ride first. They must be picked up and returned to a bar or restaurant, and an individual can only use this service twice a month. The deal does not apply to those who hail a cab, book through text or through the Discount Cab app.

6. Hire a personal driver

BeMyDD offers three ways to reserve a personal driver.

1. A personal driver, in which a driver will show up in professional attire and drive users wherever they need to go in their own car at an hourly rate.

2. A pickup service, in which a team of drivers will pick up both the user and their vehicle.

3. A driver team, in which a team of drivers can drive a user, their guests, and their cars home safely.