Use Your Head On Game Day

Danville Register & Bee
Published: February 3, 2008

The Super Bowl is upon us and with that is the need to drink responsibly and not drive while intoxicated.

The Danville Police Department has added its voice to those warning Super Bowl fans about the dangers of drinking and driving by reminding everyone that “real fans don’t let fans drive drunk.”

“We know that Super Bowl Sunday is going on and a lot of people like to drink,” Danville Police Lt. John Henderson said Friday, “and when there’s an elevation of drinking, people will drink and drive.”

He also warned that “the patrolmen on the street definitely will be looking for drunk drivers during that time.”

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration reported that during Super Bowl weekend of 2006 a total of 130 people, representing 39 percent of all traffic fatalities that weekend, died in crashes involving impaired drivers with blood alcohol concentration levels of .08 or higher, according to a AAA Mid-Atlantic news release.

A news release from the police department said that hosts of Super Bowl parties can be held liable and be prosecuted if someone they serve alcohol to winds up in a crash involving impaired driving.

Martha M. Meade, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said in a news release that “Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most dangerous days on the road for drunk-driving crashes.

“Do not let the fun and enthusiasm surrounding ‘The Big Game’ cloud your judgment when making the decision to drive home if you have had too much to drink,” she said. “We urge those who plan to celebrate to do so responsibly and designate a sober driver to avoid tragedy on the roads. If you don’t have a designated driver, call a cab for your ride home, or stay where you are.”

The Danville Police Department offers the following tips to party hosts:

• Make sure guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride sharing with other sober drivers.

• Serve lots of food, along with 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.

• Take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.

Also, if you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant, observe the following cautions:

• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Eat food, take breaks and alternate alcohol with non-alcoholic drinks.

• Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.

• If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a non-drinking friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend or family member to come and pick you up; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.

• Don’t let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired.

• Always buckle up - it’s still a driver’s best defense against other impaired drivers.