BCAA Safe-Ride-Home program helps get members and their vehicles home safely

BCAA members can now call for a tow if they are unable to drive after a medical treatment, injury or consuming alcohol

BURNABY, BC, Dec. 1 /CNW/ - BCAA members concerned about their ability to drive now have another option to get themselves and their vehicles home safely. The British Columbia Automobile Association is introducing the BCAA Safe-Ride-Home program to help members who are unable to drive home safely for reasons such as medical treatment, physical injury or consumption of alcohol. The program is being introduced as a three-month pilot, and is available to members province-wide.

"BCAA and the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation are committed to improving road safety and want to support people who make responsible choices," says BCAA President and CEO, Tim Condon. "If a BCAA member thinks they're unable to drive safely, we'd much rather they call us for help than take a risk that could endanger themselves and other road users."

BCAA members will be entitled to one such call per year which will count as one of their annual service calls. The tow home will be limited to the driver and his/her vehicle. There is no extra charge to BCAA members for the service, as long as the distance of the requested tow is within the maximum towing distance allowed at his/her level of membership. Members requiring a longer tow will be able to pay for the extra distance on a per kilometer basis, as they would for a regular service tow.

"People who become impaired through the course of the day or evening don't normally think ahead about how they're going to get home," says Allan Lamb, Executive Director of the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation. "This unique program for BCAA members helps improve road safety by increasing the options for getting home safely."

During the month of December, BCAA members who call for BCAA's Safe-Ride-Home program will have the option of also making a donation to Operation Red Nose in B.C. Operation Red Nose is a service in which volunteers transport party-goers and their vehicles home on a by-donation basis. The service is offered in a number of B.C. communities on certain Friday and Saturday nights during the holiday season, with collected donations going to support selected youth organizations in participating communities. For more information visit www.operationrednose.com.

About BCAA
BCAA is dedicated to meeting the needs of its members and customers throughout B.C. and the Yukon, connecting them with a team of membership, automotive, and insurance professionals. With over 100 years experience and gross annual sales of nearly $400 million from its membership, insurance and travel businesses a BCAA Membership can be found in the wallets of over 786,000 British Columbians and in one-in-four B.C. households. BCAA is the largest organization of its kind in B.C. and has received national recognition for its home insurance customer service. To learn more about BCAA's products, services and member advocacy, visit www.bcaa.com

For more information on the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation visit www.tsf-bcaa.com.

For further information:

Editor's notes
For further information, or to request an interview, please contact:

Niela Melanio       
BCAA Public Affairs Advisor     
Office: 604-268-5342 (M-F between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)    
Cell: 778-228-8859 (any time)       
Email: [email protected]     

Trace Acres
BCAA Director Corporate Communications & Public Affairs
Office: 604-268-5029 (M-F between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Cell: 604-788-3753
Email: [email protected]