Make this St. Patrick’s Day more about St. Paddy and less about the paddy wagon. If you’ve been drinking on St. Patrick’s Day, AAA Northern California will take you and your car home for free.

AAA’s Tipsy Tow program is open to everyone. You do not need to be a AAA member to take advantage of this service to the community.

AAA will offer the service to drinking drivers from 6 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 18, in Northern California, Nevada and Utah.

Drivers, potential passengers, party hosts, bartenders, and restaurant managers can call 800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow home of up to ten miles.

Just tell the AAA operator, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” and a truck will be on its way.        

The service will provide a one-way ride for the driver and vehicle to the driver’s home.

If there are additional passengers who need a ride, they will be taken to the driver’s home as long as there is sufficient room for them to be transported safely in the tow truck. You cannot make a reservation.  

According to 2008 statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk-driving crashes account for about 36 percent of highway deaths of young people age 16 to 24. As little as one drink can impair vision, steering, braking, judgment, and reaction time.

AAA estimates that a first time DUI conviction in California can cost up to $12,000 in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees, and added insurance expenses. You can’t put a price tag on a crash that causes an injury or death.

“Many people enjoy getting into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, which tends to involve plenty of celebrating,” said Cynthia Harris, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “If you’ve been drinking alcohol, don’t get behind the wheel. Give AAA a call and we’ll make sure you get home safely.”