Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk
Pass Your Keys to a Sober, Designated Driver Before the Super Bowl Begins
Super Bowl Sunday is one of the year’s most dangerous days on the nation’s roadways due to impaired driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 158 people, representing 51% of all traffic fatalities, died during the 2004 Super Bowl weekend due to impaired drivers with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of .08 and higher
NHTSA reports that young males, ages 21 to 34, are most likely to be involved in automobile crashes, to drive while impaired and to be among those least likely to wear their safety belts. Research also shows that this same demographic is the core audience for major sporting events such as the Super Bowl.
But alcohol-related crashes—and fatalities—can be prevented. Designating a sober driver before the Super Bowl party begins is just one of several easy steps to remember to help save lives.
If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:
- Remember, you can be prosecuted if someone you served ends up in an impaired driving crash.
- Make sure your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
- Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
- Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.
- Keep the numbers for cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.
If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
- Designate your sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
- If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend or family member to come get you; or stay and sleep it off until you are sober.
- Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired. Remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
- Always buckle up—it’s still your best defense against other impaired drivers.