Super Bowl & Impaired Driving

January 25, 2012

The Richland County Safe Communities Coalition announced today that they are teaming up with the National Football League, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and other state and local law enforcement officials to remind everyone to act responsibly by designating a sober driver if they plan on drinking alcohol on Super Bowl Sunday.

It doesn’t matter if you are rooting for the New England Patriots or the New York Giants, if you drink and drive after a Super Bowl party, you might not live to see another game. Last year, 49% of all traffic fatalities on Super Bowl Sunday (6 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday) occurred in crashes where the driver or motorcycle operator had a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .08 or higher.

“We want to remind everyone this weekend that fans don’t let fans drive drunk,” said Reed Richmond, Health Educator at the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department and a spokesperson for the Safe Communities Coalition. “If you plan on using alcohol while cheering your team on to victory, pass your keys to a sober designated driver before the Super Bowl party begins. Follow the rules or law enforcement will penalize you for driving impaired. We want everyone to make the right play for the big game.”

If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:

Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in an impaired driving crash.
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.
Be prepared for guests to spend the night if an alternative way home is not available.

If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:

Designate your sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
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 and get you; or just 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.
Always buckle up—it’s still your best defense against other impaired drivers.

For more information, please visit NHTSA's Super Bowl XLVI Page

2012 SUPER BOWL PLANNER

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 has also become one of the Nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving. That’s why the Richland County Safe Communities Coalition is teaming up with the National Football League (NFL), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and other State and local highway safety and law enforcement officials to remind everyone to act responsibly if they plan on drinking alcohol on Super Bowl Sunday.

Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident—nor is it a victimless crime.

In 2009, 10,839 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.
In addition, NHTSA reports that young males, ages 21 to 34, are most likely to drive while impaired and least likely to wear their seat belts.
One way to avoid impaired driving crashes is when everyone huddles up and designates a sober driver to safely transport their friends and family, who have been drinking, home.
Designated drivers should be over the age of 21 have a valid driver’s license, and promise to not drink alcohol before or during the game.
Designated drivers should be well rested and prepared to drive any distance that is required to get their impaired passengers home safely.
Over 175,000 NFL fans pledged to be designated drivers this season – a new record.

Driving impaired has serious consequences and is simply not worth the risk.

Having your driving privileges taken from you is not worth a night of drinks.
Some past drunk driving offenders have also received additional penalties like:

(1) Higher insurance rates; (2) Having their vehicle towed; and (3) High repair costs.

Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be significant.

The tragedies and costs from drinking and driving impaired do not just end at potential death, disfigurement, disability, or injury. Violators who are caught will be spending their money on bail, court fees, lawyers, and towing fees.