Company in Snohomish County offers free tows, rides for tipsy drivers

EVERETT -- John Guihan owns American Towing Company in Snohomish County.

"Our goal is to get you home safe. We will get you and your vehicle home safe that night. Don't drive, it's not worth the risk,” Guihan said.

He makes his living and feeds his family by towing cars and yet for six nights during this holiday season he's offering his company’s services free of charge for anyone who has had too much to drink.

All you have to do is make a call: 425-355-7212.



"Every New Year’s we see accidents. That's a given. It's not if. It's when,” Guihan said.

It's called the Home Safe Program, and American Towing calls it a community service and their way to give back to the community they serve.

More importantly they want to save lives.

"We've seen everything from people being taken to the hospital with minor injuries to people not being around to see the New Year,” Guihan said.

American Towing started the program last weekend.

It continues tonight, Friday and Saturday night and New Year’s Eve from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., from Marysville to Lynnwood.

Six employees are donating their time to drive and to dispatch, and, if all their trucks are tied up, there is a backup plan that is also free of charge.

"I thought it was a great idea and I've been a trainer for the Liquor Control Board on-and-off for several years so it's a really good plan,” Tom Mcalees said.

Mcalees owns One Eyed Jack's Roadhouse in Lynnwood.

His customers are monitored closely to make sure they don't drink too much.

The problem is, he says, a lot of people don't know when they've had too much.

"We also have a breathalyzer by the front door; put a buck in it and see where you're at, sometimes people argue and say, oh, I haven't had too much to drink, and we'll plug a buck in it and they'll go point-07,” Mcalees said.

Guihan says it's just not worth the risk and he has a challenge for other tow companies across Western Washington.

"I would really like to challenge other tow companies in my area to donate a truck to help out with this. I think together we can help end the tragedies that come from driving impaired,” Guihan said.

American Towing charges as much as $250 to tow a vehicle.

They're doing it free and only ask that you tip the drivers who are donating their time.

The number is 425-355-7212.

And if any tow truck companies want to take Guihan up on his challenge, drop us a line at Tips@q13Fox.com.