ARDMORE -- With Thanksgiving just days away, AAA Oklahoma wants to make sure holiday parties and family gatherings are safe, and drunk drivers do not hit the roads. The company announced Monday it’s expanding its free "Tipsy Tow" service to this Thanksgiving weekend. Shelby Levins reports.

AAA Oklahoma tells us their popular "Tipsy Tow" program used to be available only around New Years, and only in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metropolitan areas. But for the first time, AAA says "Tipsy Tow" is coming to Ardmore for the Thanksgiving holiday and the free program begins Wednesday night.

As more and more people prepare to hit the roads for the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, AAA Oklahoma wants to help keep all travelers safe and make sure those who've taken part in alcoholic spirits don't get on the roadway.

"40 percent of all accidents over the holiday have been caused by people who have been drinking. So AAA is trying to change that pattern around and we'll be offering tows to anyone who needs it,” Kaye Seeliger, the local Ardmore AAA travel branch manager, said.

She says she's proud the company is expanding the "Tipsy Tow" program. Now the free service will run during the Thanksgiving holiday and include Southern Oklahoma.

"This is really the first time that we've had ‘Tipsy tow’ at Thanksgiving and then to get it in Ardmore as well I'm just really pleased with that," Seeliger explained.

But Seeliger is hardly the only one excited about the expansion of “Tipsy Tow.” Area drivers say they're happy the free tow service is coming to Ardmore roads, and will be available to any one who needs it - AAA member or not.

"I think it's probably the safest thing they could do. Over the holidays I’m sure they're going to be a few people that make some bad decisions and that could save some lives,” Gary Anderson, a local trucker, said.

"Tispy Tow" will tow any driver, their vehicle and up to one other passenger safely home, within a 15 mile radius from the pick up point.

It's a service Anderson is especially thankful for, because he makes his living traveling area highways, which will be safer without drunk drivers behind the wheel.

"(It) gives you a piece of mind knowing that if you do make a bad decision that you have a way out,” Anderson explained.

“Tipsy Tow” is completely free, and AAA says no questions will be asked. Seeliger says she just hopes people take advantage of the service so our roads are safe this Thanksgiving holiday.

“Tipsy Tow” will be available starting Wednesday at 6 pm, and AAA says it will run all the way through Sunday night at 10 pm. The program will also be offered in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Muskogee, Enid, Lawton and Shawnee.

The number to call is 1800-222-4357. AAA says to simply tell the dispatcher you need a “Tipsy Tow.”