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FYI

Published 9:00 pm Monday, December 29, 2003

Three towing companies in Snohomish County will offer free rides home on New Year’s Eve.

The program, called TOWED for Towing Operators Working to Eliminate Drunk Driving, is sponsored by Crown Distributing, a Budweiser wholesaler in Arlington. It’s a last resort for people who have had too much to drink and can’t drive home safely.

"First and foremost, we want people 21 and older who choose to drink alcohol to do so responsibly and never drink and drive," said Gigi Burke, vice president of Crown Distributing.

Failing that, a call to one of the following towing companies will provide a free ride for caller and vehicle:

R &R Towing, Lynnwood, 425-778-9557; Skip’s Everett Towing, 425-259-2981; and Specialty Towing, Marysville, 360-652-6063.

Given the recent icy roadways, the state Department of Transportation reminds drivers to keep the following in mind:

  • Posted speed limits are for dry conditions. Pay attention to ice or snow on the roadway and adjust your speed and stopping distance accordingly.

  • The coldest part of the day is just before sunrise. If the road is wet, there may be icy spots. Pay special attention to bridges, ramps, overpasses and curves. Those are likely to become icy first.

  • Don’t get overconfident in your four-wheel-drive vehicle. Four-wheel-drive may help you get going quicker, but it won’t help you stop any faster. In fact, heavier vehicles take longer to stop. Allow yourself a safe topping distance.

  • Use the Transportation Department’s Web site to check traffic conditions before you leave home: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic.

    Thursday is New Year’s Day. Here are some resulting closures:

    Government: Federal, state and local offices will be closed.

    Schools: Closed.

    Post offices: Closed, but express service continues.

    Commerce: Most businesses and banks are closed. Malls will be open.

    Transportation: Community Transit will be on a Sunday schedule. Everett Transit will not operate.

    Ferry service for Mukilteo and Clinton, Point Defiance and Tahlequah, Seattle and Bainbridge, and Edmonds and Kingston will be on holiday schedules. There will be no passenger-only service between Seattle and Vashon.

    The Herald: Classified ads and the reception area will be closed, but customer service phones will be open 7:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday at 425-339-3200.

    Call in news tips to 425-339-3428.

    If you have an item for FYI, call Kristi O’Harran at 425-339-3451. If you have a news tip or an idea for a local story, call the city desk at 425-339-3428, or e-mail newstips@heraldnet.com.

    Other numbers to call:

    Everett, 425-339-3200

    425-339-3470, after 4 p.m.

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