Crime & Safety

Avoid DUI Arrest with Free Tow in Pierce County

"Drive hammered, get nailed" this holiday season. To help, Pierce County is offering a free tow service at participating locations.

Police and tow companies will team up Dec. 17 to keep roads in Fife and surrounding East Pierce County areas safe during one of the biggest party weekends of the season.

Approximately 25 police officers, sheriff's deputies and state troopers will be looking for impaired drivers as part of a special "Night of a Thousand Stars" holiday DUI patrol.

Additionally, Pierce County's annual "Tow and Go" program will be launched to assist bar patrons who have had too much to drink. Free 10-mile tows for customers from participating bars and taverns will be available from 13 towers through New Year's Day.

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The Tacoma Pierce County DUI and Traffic Safety Task Force estimates that a first DUI can cost up to $5,000 in fines, penalties, legal fees and added insurance costs. "But there's no price tag that can be put on the loss of a family member to a driver that chose to get behind the wheel drunk," said John Cheesman, chief of the Fircrest Police Department and chairman of the Tacoma Pierce County DUI and Traffic Safety Task Force.

"Everyone knows the smart thing to do, but the holiday spirit can get away from us," said Bill Sullivan, owner of University Place-based Liberty Towing and organizer of the annual "Tow and Go" program funded by the towers. "Line up a sober driver or cab before leaving home or talk to the bartender about getting a tow."

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Over the past four years, 12 people lost their lives in a crash involving an impaired driver in Pierce County during the month of December. More than twice as many people suffered debilitating injuries.

The Fife Police Department is coordinating the special holiday patrol sponsored by the Tacoma Pierce County DUI and Traffic Safety Task Force and supported by Pierce County Community Connections. A similar multi-agency holiday patrol in Pierce County on Nov. 25 this year, coordinated by the Washington State Patrol and funded by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, resulted in 37 DUI arrests.

Want to share this message? Here is a link to the Traffic Safety Commission's 30-second "Drive Hammered, Get Nailed" video.


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