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Three Ways to Get Home Safely After Toasting Independence Day in Austin

Jon Shapley for KUT News
The taps at Craft Pride on Rainey Street.

The Austin Police Department will be monitoring the roads extra carefully this weekend, and enforcing a "no refusal" mandate; law enforcement will be able to quickly obtain a warrant to test the blood-alcohol level of any suspected drunk driver who objects to a Breathalyzer or blood test.

Fourth of July revelers who don’t think they’ll make fit drivers this weekend will have their pick of get-home-safe cards.

1. Capital Metro has some late-night options, including year-round Night Owl buses that run until 3 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Night Owl services travel five different routes between popular spots on 6th Street and city neighborhoods.

2. AAA is offering a Tipsy Tow service. Lounge in the front seat as they tow your car home – the first ten miles are free and the program runs through midnight on July 4th. Call 1-800-AAA-HELP to be dragged back to your place.

3. Uber, a ridesharing service operating without the blessing of the city of Austin, is running a holiday deal this weekend. According to the company’s blog, for every ride taken on July 4, they will donate $1 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Of course, the old standby of designating a driver is always a safe option – or you could avoid imbibing altogether.

Audrey McGlinchy is KUT's housing reporter. She focuses on affordable housing solutions, renters’ rights and the battles over zoning. Got a tip? Email her at audrey@kut.org. Follow her on Twitter @AKMcGlinchy.
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