PANAMA CITY — With parties and revelry planned to usher in the new year Wednesday night, it’s important to remember safety precautions like having a safe ride home after drinking.
Several area taxi services are available for safe rides tonight, while local towing company White’s Wrecker Services is providing free rides and tows for 48 hours from midnight Tuesday to midnight Thursday.
“We do it to help the community,” said Hassie White, “and to make sure people get home safely.”
The company will respond to any locations in Bay and Gulf counties anytime on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. White said no employees ever complain about the extra work.
“We’re happy to do it,” she said.
White’s Wrecker Services can be reached at 850-215-8695.
Some area condominiums, like Boardwalk Beach Resort, also may offer free shuttle services for their guests.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office, as well as other area law enforcement agencies, will expand its patrols in preparation for the heightened possibility of accidents.
“We are augmenting our normal crew with members of our auxiliary and reserve groups,” said BCSO spokeswoman Ruth Corley.
BCSO also will increase the number of dispatchers working tonight and Thursday to handle a potentially higher volume of 911 calls.
“We certainly want to be able to handle it,” Corley said.
Three people in the U.S. are killed every two hours in alcohol-related accidents and that alcohol-related car crashed cost Americans billions of dollars every year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
NEED A RIDE?
- Affordable Transportation Inc., 850-233-0029
- Beach Boys Shuttle, 850-236-6234
- Emerald Taxi, 850-792-2546
- Lemon Taxi, 850-276-8884
- Red Cabs of Panama City, 850-733-2227
- White’s Wrecker Services, 850-215-8695