No DUI: AAA Activates Tow to Go for Extended Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day weekend is here, and for a lot of us, that means one last big weekend before summer officially ends and the fall season overtakes us.
Maybe you're heading to a BBQ. Maybe you're spending the weekend with family, like me. Maybe you've got friends coming over, a few cold drinks in the cooler, and college football back on the big screen. I mean the return of college football gives people reason enough to get together and have some fun. And there's nothing wrong with having a good time...
The problem comes later; everyone is preparing to head home and now you wonder if maybe you had too much to drink. That's when a simple decision can turn into a very bad one. Bad for your image, wallet, your vehicle, and maybe your own life or someone elses. This Labor Day weekend, let's not make driving home one of those bad decisions. Here's one handy tool for Iowa residents that can keep a DUI a non-issue this holiday.
AAA is bringing back its Tow to Go program for the holiday weekend
The program gives impaired drivers another option when they need a safe way home. Here's the part that makes the program especially useful: Tow to Go transports both the impaired driver and their vehicle to a safe location within 10 miles. The service is free, confidential, and available to AAA members and non-members alike.
For Labor Day weekend, Tow to Go will be available from 6 PM Friday, September 4th, through 6 AM Tuesday, September 8th, 2026. In Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska, drivers who find themselves without a safe ride can call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246.
Why does the vehicle part matter?
Simply put, people make a really bad decision because they don't want to leave their car behind. AAA's survey found that 20% of impaired drivers in Iowa who admitted to driving after consuming alcohol, marijuana, or impairing medications said they did so because they did not want to leave their vehicle unattended overnight. Tow to Go is designed to remove that concern.
Of course, AAA would rather you plan ahead. Tow to Go is intended as a last-resort safety net, not something to build your evening around. You can't schedule the service in advance, and availability depends on things like location, call volume, weather, and service provider capacity. So, before you head out for that Labor Day gathering, make a plan.
A Few Simple Rules for the Holiday Weekend
- First, if you're drinking, just don't drive. If you're questioning whether you're impaired, don't get behind the wheel.
- Choose a designated driver before the party starts.
- Consider a rideshare, taxi, or public transportation. Have some options ready.
- Stay where you're celebrating if possible.
- Don't pressure the designated driver to drink. Their job is to get everyone home.
- Take someone's keys if necessary; an awkward conversation is better than a dangerous drive.
- Use Tow to Go if you need a last-resort option. Call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246 during the Labor Day service period.
- Remember that Tow to Go is for impaired driving, not a broken-down vehicle. It is not a substitute for regular roadside assistance.
AAA says Tow to Go has been operating since 1998 and has helped remove nearly 30,000 impaired drivers from the road. That's 30,000 right decisions that could have instead gone horribly wrong.
Ultimately, enjoy the long weekend; I know I will. Watch some football. Fire up the grill. Spend some time with the people you care about. And yes, have some fun, even a drink or two. Just make sure you have a plan for getting home before the fun gets started. I get it, leaving your car behind for the night might be inconvenient. However, a DUI, wreck, or something even worse is life altering. If all else fails, call on Tow to Go and AAA.
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