PANAMA CITY BEACH — On New Year’s Eve in 1982 Richard “Spud” White, the owner of White’s Wrecker Service, responded to a car accident that involved an entire family.
He found two adults and a two-year-old boy dead on the scene of the crash, which was caused by a drunk driver.
Since then, White’s Wrecker Service has offered a free tow and ride home on New Year’s Eve to anyone who needs it in Bay and Gulf County.
“We take about 50 calls on New Years,” said White’s daughter, Hassie White. “It may not seem like a lot, but that’s 50 people off the road that shouldn’t be driving.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, three people are killed in alcohol-related highway crashes every two hours, and the risk is higher on holidays like New Year’s.
To prepare, law enforcement agencies throughout Bay County are beefing up patrol for the holiday.
Panama City Beach Police Chief Drew Whitman said the department will increase patrol presence throughout the city, especially in and around the Pier Park area for the New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop.
“We have increased patrol both inside the park and on the road for more of a presence and more proactive law enforcement,” he said.
With 40,000 attendees at Pier Park last year and even more anticipated tonight, Whitman said PCBPD will also be using a new 21-foot portable security tower to aid in crowd control.
“It’s getting larger and larger,” Whitman said of the event. “We will have a detail inside of Pier Park to help out with the crowds and also for traffic control after.”
Whitman also warned partygoers to plan ahead before heading out.
“Take a designated driver if you plan on drinking or call a friend or family member to come pick you up,” he said. “It’s not worth taking a risk.”
Need a ride home?
Call White’s Wrecker Service at (850) 215-8695 for a free tow and ride home anywhere in Bay or Gulf County on New Year’s Eve.