The Edmond Sun

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December 29, 2009

AG urges responsible holiday celebrations

EDMOND — As the new year approaches, Attorney General Drew Edmondson and Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Ron Bartmier are reminding Oklahomans to celebrate safely.

Alcohol is often present at new year’s parties, and Edmondson and Bartmier are encouraging parents and partygoers to keep alcohol away from children and take the car keys from anyone who has been drinking.

“Drinking responsibly and respecting the law are appropriate messages at any time of the year,” Edmondson said in a news release, “but they are especially important during this season of celebration and new year’s parties.”

Underage drinking and drunk driving among teens and adults are two issues that law enforcement officials must confront on a daily basis.

“Please help our law enforcement agencies across the state in keeping the roads and highways safe this season,” Bartmier said.

Start the new year right, the officials said, by celebrating responsibly.

During the holidays, up to 40 percent of all traffic crashes involve alcohol, according to AAA Oklahoma. AAA predicted 87.7 million Americans would travel 50 miles or more from home during the Christmas-New Year’s Day period, a 3.8 percent increase from the same period last year. It was the largest projected increase for any major holiday in 2009.

AAA’s Tipsy Tow service is being offered to AAA members and nonmembers through Jan. 1, no questions asked. Call 800-AAA-HELP and ask for Tipsy Tow.

AAA has two restrictions for the use of Tipsy Tow, a 15- mile tow limit from point of pick up, and there’s only one place to which AAA will give you and your vehicle a free ride — home.

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