Feeling 'tipsy' on New Year's Eve? Let AAA Texas help you out ...

OK, OK ... so you've had a good time with friends and maybe, just maybe, had a couple or four more drinks than you meant to have. There's no need to get behind a car wheel and drive drunk. Why? Tipsy's here. See this informative piece of advice from AAA Texas below:

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IRVING -- If you’re a driver who has too much to drink, a party host concerned about a guest that overindulged or a restaurant or bar owner who wants to make sure a patron gets home safely on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, AAA Texas is once again this year offering members and non-members alike our Tipsy Tow program to make sure everyone who needs a ride home, gets home safely.

Beginning at 6 p.m. New Year’s Eve and continuing 30 hours through Friday night at 11:59, drivers are urged to call AAA Texas to get a free ride home and also have their car towed home as well. The number is 1-800-222-4357.

Many motorists who have had too much to drink have said one of the reasons why they don’t call a taxi is because they have to come back the next day and get the car. Tipsy Tow takes care of that. You do not have to be an AAA member to use this free service and no identification is required, however reservations are not accepted.

Callers simply tell the Auto Club operators, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” to receive the free tow and ride home. A regular AAA Texas roadside service truck will be dispatched to the location and take the driver and car home up to 10 miles from the point of pick up. After 10 miles, it is the responsibility of the motorists and it is suggested the motorist and driver agree in advance what the excess mileage charges will be and the tow truck operator will obtain a payment agreement prior to providing the tow.

“AAA Texas is pleased once again to offer Tipsy Tow to all Texas drivers New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day," said AAA regional vice president and general manager Rhonda Wilson.

"The number of alcohol-related traffic deaths and injuries nationwide and in Texas continues to drop. It’s because law enforcement, individual motorists, party hosts and others are taking responsibility to make sure drivers don’t get behind the wheel intoxicated. AAA’s Emergency Roadside Service team will be a critical part of this important effort to save lives and get motorists home safely.”

There are some situations where a Tipsy Tow does not qualify.

• The motorist requests a tow to another drinking establishment, repair facility or other location besides their place of residence. A tow to a hotel would be acceptable if the person is a guest there.
• If a member or non-member requests a Tipsy Tow and then, that vehicle is inoperable or the individual asks to start the car, change a tire, deliver gasoline or seeks “taxi” service, transporting two or more people with the vehicle, they will be charged the tow truck operator’s standard rate.

People convicted of driving under the influence could lose many of the important things in their lives, such as family, job, dignity and money. A DUI conviction can be a financial wrecking ball. The Texas Department of Transportation and other law enforcement agencies say it can cost a person between $13,000 to $24,000 in fines, legal fees, higher insurance rates, lost wages, substance abuse programs or court required alcohol treatment.

Current laws, enforcement, public awareness, and education efforts by public service-oriented organizations, including the Auto Club, have contributed to the decline in the number of alcohol-related fatalities during the past 10 years. The Auto Club provides the Tipsy Tow service and free publications as part of the “You Drink. You Drive. You Lose.” public awareness campaign.

The Auto Club advises that motorists can keep themselves and others safe and can avoid DUI arrests by keeping these safety tips in mind:

At social events, designate non-drinking drivers who can get everyone home safely.

Call a friend or family member for a ride home if you have been drinking.

Keep a cab company telephone number in your wallet so you can call for a ride home.

As the party host, offer a variety of non-alcoholic drink alternatives, plenty of food and provide a gift to guests who volunteer to be designated drivers.

Take the car keys away from friends and relatives who have had too much to drink.

If you’re driving and see a motorist driving in an erratic manner, try to stay behind their vehicle, leaving plenty of distance to be safe, then call 9-1-1 and give the police a description of the car and if you can safely get the driver’s license, write it down and tell authorities.

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Don't be dumb on New Year's Eve. Heed this advice.

Just helping out.

-- Joe Rutland

Texas manufacturing holds steady, outlook improves ...

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas released its Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey for December on Monday. Here's the gist of their statement:

Texas factory activity was flat in December, according to business executives responding to the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey. The production index, a key indicator of state manufacturing conditions, came in close to zero in December, suggesting output held steady after growing in November for the first time since July 2008.

All indexes for future activity strengthened substantially in December, suggesting a more upbeat six-month outlook. The majority of respondents expect increases in production, new orders and shipments in the next six months. The future business activity index climbed to its highest level in nearly three years, and 41 percent of responding executives reported an improved six-month company outlook.

Other broad indicators of current factory activity — including capacity utilization, shipments, new orders and growth rate of orders — remained positive and pointed to continued growth.

The business activity and company outlook indexes were positive for the second consecutive month in December, with manufacturers seeing better business conditions outnumbering those experiencing continued weakness.

The employment index remained negative but posted a big improvement as the share of respondents reporting layoffs fell from 27.3 percent in November to 17.9 percent in December.

Current capital investment continued to decline, but the future capital expenditures index climbed into positive territory. Twenty-three percent of manufacturers — the highest share since September 2008 — said they expected increases in capital expenditures six months from now.

Downward pressures on finished goods prices remained, but the number of companies reporting declines in selling prices outpaced those seeing increases by the slimmest margin since October 2008. The raw materials price index was positive and rose, indicating producers were still seeing rising input costs. The future raw materials price index rose to its highest level since July 2008 — when energy prices were at their peak.

The Dallas Fed conducts the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey monthly to obtain a timely assessment of the state’s factory activity. Data were collected Dec.15–22, and 93 Texas manufacturers responded to the survey. Firms are asked whether output, employment, orders, prices and other indicators increased, decreased or remained unchanged over the previous month.

-- Joe Rutland

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Just wanted to take a minute and wish LMT Business Journal readers, as well as all who pass through Laredo Morning Times' main Web site, a Merry Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous New Year.
I know many people are still out of work, looking for jobs and stressing about where their next paycheck will come from for themselves and their families.
My hope is those who seek work will find it and those who seek to start new ventures in 2010 will take that risk and go for it.
Without true hope, trust and belief in yourself and your fellow man and woman, there is no deep lasting peace.
For a couple of days, I'd hope you will try to let go of financial and employment concerns.
I'm going to take my own advice, too.
Feliz Navidad!

-- Joe Rutland

Laredo unemployment rate at 8.6 percent for Nov. ...

Laredo's unemployment rate now sits at 8.6 percent through November, according to Texas Workforce Commission data released last Friday.
It marked a one-tenth of a percent decrease from October's 8.7 percent not seasonally adjusted rate.
Among U.S.-Mexico border regions, the Laredo Metropolitan Statistical Area remains at the lower end of the scale.
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission are at 11.2 percent unemployment through November, which is the same percentage it was in October. Brownsville-Harlingen followed that similar pattern as it carried over a 10.5 percent unemployment rate into November from October.
El Paso showed the sharpest improvement, slipping to 9.2 percent in November from October's 9.5 percent.

-- Joe Rutland

Back from Central America ...

Public and private sector individuals, including Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas and City Manager Carlos Villarreal, provided information and pictures from their recent Central America trip at a Wednesday afternoon press conference.
Most of the pictures taken and provided to the public show members of the Laredo contingency holding discussions with Central American contacts as well as numerous group shots, too.
LMT staff writer Zach Lindsey will have a story in Thursday's Laredo Morning Times about what these public and private sector leaders said at their press conference.
Hopefully, their meetings will lead to greater business for Laredo.
More on this in the near future.

-- Joe Rutland

Winter weather driving tips ... yes, even for Laredo ...

While I realize this isn't business related, per se, I believe it's still important information about our upcoming cold weather should any business people be on the roads either this Friday or over the weekend.

Cold weather, including showers or snow showers, are part of the forecast.

So FYI, here are some winter weather driving tips courtesy of the Texas Department of Transportation:

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When the weather changes, so do driving conditions. The following information can help everyone drive safely when inclement winter weather strikes:

● Check the road conditions (text at http://www.txdot.gov/travel/road_conditions.htm or map at http://www.txdot.gov/travel/map_disclaimer.htm) in your area (or call (800) 452-9292), and stay tuned to local news broadcasts for more information on roadway and weather conditions.
● Remove snow and ice from your vehicle before you drive, making sure the headlights and taillights are visible.
● Accelerate slowly.
● Increase your following distance.
● Brake gently in slow, steady strokes to see how much traction you have, and begin braking early when approaching intersections or stops.
● Approach bridges, shaded spots, overpasses and turns slowly.
● Never use cruise control in winter driving conditions.
● Use non-freezing windshield washer liquid.
● Use snow tires and/or chains (where allowed).
● If you are stranded, call the Texas Department of Public Safety's stranded motorist hotline toll-free at (800) 525-5555.

Auto Safety Checklist

Check and maintain these vehicle components:

● Ignition
● Battery
● Headlights and taillights
● Brakes
● Wiper blades
● Antifreeze level
● Fuel and exhaust systems
● Heater/defroster
● Tires

-- Joe Rutland