Published on Friday, December 29, 2006
in the WMBB News

New Years Drinking & Driving

PANAMA CITY, FLA. - The countdown is on for the new year and when that ball drops where you'll be may not be as important as how you get home.

Unfortunately, traffic fatalities happen during the new year's holiday authorities say many of them are caused by drunk driving.

Before you pop the top as you countdown with the clock, just know that after the party ends the florida highway patrol will be ready.

Last year the New Year's holiday was a deadly one on Florida's roads.

The Florida Highway Patrol says 29 people were killed during the last New Year's Eve weekend.

Careless driving was a contributing factor in 11 crashes.

Six of those are attributed to failure to yield right of way and five were alcohol-related.

59% Of the accidents happened after dark and 71% of the people killed were not wearing their seat belts.

News 13 is on your side to provide you with an option if you've had too much to drink and didn't designate a driver.

You can call AAA's Tow To Go for free assistance.

Their number is 1-800-AAA-HELP.

An area tow company will come to you, give you a ride, and tow your car home at no charge.