Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s biggest and most entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Yet, it is also one of the Nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving.
In 2008 alcohol Involved fatalities resulted in 1355 killed in California with another 28,457 injured. On Super Bowl Sunday 2009 11 people died which is three times the daily average. There were another 133 injured which was over twice the daily average because of alcohol impairment.
“We want to pass our safety message to everyone who will be drinking this weekend, real Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk,” said City of Turlock Chief of Police Gary Hampton, who heads the Avoid the 12 grant for Stanislaus County. “Please make the right decision and pass your keys to a designated driver before the Super Bowl party begins. Getting caught driving while impaired will result in costly penalties including the loss of your driving privileges.”
Impaired-driving crashes—and fatalities—can be prevented. Designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone’s Super Bowl party list. Here are some ways you can help save lives, too.
If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:
Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help 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 local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.
Remember, you can be held liable if someone you served alcohol to ends up in an impaired-driving crash.
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 where you are 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.
Impaired driving is no accident nor is it a victimless crime. Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is simply not worth the risk because the consequences are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for impaired driving can be significant.
Please act responsibly. Designate a sober driver before the big game begins. And remember, real Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
This information is being released by Turlock Police Sergeant Nino Amirfar.