To help make the holiday season a safe and happy one, companies throughout Broward County are again providing free transportation services for alcohol- impaired partygoers.

“We’re not against drinking. We’re against people getting behind the wheel drunk and endangering people’s lives,” said Naomi Schnack, administrator for the national campaign, Towing Operators Working to Eliminate Drunk Drivers.

Tow operators Dave and Helen Jones of Fern Park, Fla., established T.O.W.E.D. in 1986.

“As towers, they got tired of picking up the pieces of wrecked vehicles caused by alcohol-related accidents. They wanted to help save lives,” Schnack said.

Almost 50 percent of automobile crashes in Florida are alcohol related, including drivers not of legal drinking age, according to Nathalie Herbst, manager of the American Automobile Association’s traffic safety department in Florida. Alcohol-related accidents increase during the holidays, she said.

T.O.W.E.D. now has 1,200 members throughout the United States and Canada. In 1991, 25,000 vehicles were towed as part of the service.

Calling for a tow is one way to keep drunken drivers off the road, but hosts and partygoers should plan ahead for designated drivers, Herbst said.

“When planning a holiday party, the host has more responsibility than just inviting friends and family over for food and drinks,” Herbst said. “If you care enough to invite them over, then you should care enough to make sure everyone gets home safely.”

Arranging designated drivers or carpools should be easy. The trend these days is that about 30 percent of the people at parties don’t drink, Herbst said. Hosts should remember to provide non-alcoholic beverages for guests who prefer not to imbibe, as well as for designated drivers.

If an intoxicated guest refuses a ride or a place to sleep overnight, be sure to take away their car keys, Herbst said.

“At first they may be unhappy about you doing that, but at least they’ll be around the next day,” Herbst said. “Really, you’re not going to lose a friendship, you’re going to save a friend and maybe someone else on the roadway. That’s how hosts should look at it.”

Detective Robert Miller with the Broward Sheriff’s Office DUI task force said drivers can expect stepped-up law enforcement on the roadways during the holiday season. He said a checkpoint will be set up in Fort Lauderdale on New Year’s Eve to detect and apprehend impaired drivers.

Miller said motorists equipped with car phones can help deter alcohol-related accidents by reporting suspected drunken drivers.

Motorists should call 911 with an accurate description of the vehicle, including license tag number if possible, and the location of the vehicle. An officer will be sent immediately to investigate.

To get free transportation home and avoid endangering lives, contact one of the following businesses. Some have specific requirements.

— T.O.W.E.D. Call 1-800-GET-OWED in the United States and Canada. T.O.W.E.D. members provide free towing and transportation for those who drink too much during the holidays. Cars must be operable and passengers must be taken home, rather than to another party or establishment.

— Sal’s Towing in Oakland Park. Call 566-5155. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Anyone too drunk to drive may get a vehicle towed and two passengers driven home anywhere in Broward County as part of its “Save-A- Life” program.

— Driscoll’s Towing in Pompano Beach. Call 946-4747. Available now through noon Friday. Anyone too drunk to drive may get a vehicle towed and two passengers driven home from anywhere north of Cypress Creek Road to the Broward-Palm Beach County line. Drop-off point must be within a six-mile radius of pickup point. Vehicles may be stored free overnight. Rides are not available for drivers who are stopped by police.

— AAA Emergency Road Service. Call 749-5400 in Broward County. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Impaired members or nonmembers may get a vehicle towed and two passengers driven home in Broward County as part of AAA’s membership in T.O.W.E.D.. Service is available throughout the state. Call local AAA Emergency Road Service phone numbers for transportation.

— B & P Towing in Pompano Beach. Call 978-9704. Available now through midnight Friday. Anyone too drunk to drive may get a vehicle towed and two passengers driven home from anywhere north of Cypress Creek Road to the Broward-Palm Beach County line. B & P is a member of T.O.W.E.D..

— Tri-Rail. Call 1-800-TRI-RAIL. Last northbound train, which leaves Miami Metrorail/Tri-Rail transfer station at 2:07 a.m. Friday, is free. The train will stop at 13 stations, arriving in West Palm Beach at 3:39 a.m. Tri-Rail shuttle bus service will not be available. Vehicles left in Tri-Rail parking lots overnight will not be towed.

The AAA suggests hosts use the “ABC’s” of partygiving:

— A is for alcohol awareness. Serve alcoholic punches and mixed drinks with non-carbonated beverages such as juice or tea. Sodas make the body absorb alcohol faster. Don’t force drinks on guests. Offer a variety of non-alcoholic drinks and coffee. Watch for overindulgers.

— B is for buffet. Serve protein-rich snacks and starchy food that help retard alcohol absorption throughout the party. Later in the evening, put the alcohol away and switch to dessert and coffee.

— C is for carpool. Arrange designated drivers or call a cab to drive guests home after the party. Post phone numbers of companies offering free rides home for partygoers too drunk to drive.

Here are some recipes from AAA for non-alcoholic drinks.

HOLLY PUNCH

12 oz. frozen lemonade

18 oz. frozen pineapple-orange juice

1/2 quarts ginger ale

3/4 quart lemon-lime soda

2 cups club soda

2 cups sparkling water

Mix all ingredients.

Yields: 40 servings

WASSAIL ON THE WAGON

1 gallon apple cider

1 quart hot water

1/2 cup instant unsweetened tea

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

1 cinnamon stick

Heat water. Add other ingredients. Serve warm.

Yields: 1 1/2 gallons, or 64 four-ounce servings.