HARTFORD--To encourage local residents to drive safely New Year's Eve, Hartford Towing and Automotive will once again offer free towing. Free towing on New Year's Eve will be available from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

 

Free towing is for customer calls within Cocke County, and is an effort to prevent drinking and driving.

 

R.L. Leatherwood said this is the fifth year Hartford Towing has offered the service. He said he had heard of the service being offered elsewhere, and he became involved, deciding to offer the service here.

 

"I decided to offer the free towing on New Year's Eve because I have seen too many drunk drivers," he said. "If it just prevents one accident, or saves one life, it is definitely worth it all."

 

He said he has gotten more of a response from people talking about Hartford Towing offering the service than he has from actual calls. He said last year he received seven calls while he received 14 calls the year before.

 

Leatherwood said he had received calls from people claiming to be in Virginia and Knoxville asking for free towing, but emphasized towing is only available from customer calls within Cocke County.

 

Hartford Towing and Automotive is located at 4150 Grindstaff Road, Hartford. To have a vehicle towed, call (423) 487-2488.