Drunk drivers crawl behind the wheel of a car, put the key in the ignition and hit the open road about 80 times before a police officer finally pulls them over. Considering that 457 people were arrested for DUI in Puyallup last year, it means a lot of people are driving when they should be riding. It’s a scary thought as we enter the holiday season. Police officers know they have to be more vigilant than normal because of the many holiday parties and festivities where people drink before heading home. In December of 2006, 51 people were arrested in Puyallup compared to 37 in September. It’s the same trend every year. By the end of November, Pierce County District Court had 2,074 DUI cases. They always expect to see many more by the time New Year’s Day has come and gone. It doesn’t seem to matter how many public service messages plead for a designation driver, there’s always someone who believes they can make it home safely regardless of how much they’ve had to drink. That’s why several East Pierce tow truck companies are offering a unique holiday service. If a bartender thinks one of their customers is too drunk to drive, they call one of the participating companies — in Puyallup they are Engel’s, Puyallup, B-Line, J&J or Gene’s. The tow truck company will get the customer home without any charge. It’s not an invitation to drink more. It is a great way for the tow truck companies to help make the holidays safer.
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