The Super Bowl is America’s most watched national sporting event. On Super Bowl Sunday, February 1, there will be game day socializing that may include drinking. Because of that, the California Office of Traffic Safety, Police, Sheriffs, the CHP are urging football fans to choose sides now: drink OR drive. If you plan on drinking on Super Bowl Sunday, please designate a sober driver to get you home safely. The “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” campaign encourages people to make plans ahead of time that will prevent them from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking. Driving impaired could result in injury or death for you or others on the road.
The “Avoid the 23 San Mateo County DUI Task Force” will be deploying four Roving DUI Saturations Patrols during and following Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup. Officers will deploy into communities where collision data reveals high incidents of DUI crashes and arrests.
According to data from NHTSA, in 2013 there were 867 people killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in California –29 percent of all crash fatalities in the state. A driver is considered alcohol-impaired with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, the legal limit.
This February 1, do not become another tragic Super Bowl stat.
“Drunk driving is completely preventable,” said Chief Manny Martinez Jr. of the Daly City Police Department. “All it takes is a little planning. We want fans to remember that it is a choice. Drink or drive—but never do both.”
For those who plan to drink, leave your keys at home. Designate a sober driver, whether it’s a friend, relative, taxi, private car service or public transportation. For those who plan to drive, refrain from drinking any alcohol. Instead, enjoy the game with food and non-alcoholic drinks. Being a sober, designated driver is a key role on Super Bowl Sunday. You might just save a life.
The Avoid the 23 DUI Task Force funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who reminds everyone to “Report Drunk Drivers! Call 9-1-1.” OTS offers a free mobile app available for iPHone and Android – DDVIP – aimed at thanking the sober designated driver with perks and free offers at area bars and restaurants. Never let friends drive if they have had too much to drink. Stay connected with OTS via Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOTS, or Twitter @OTS_CA, or www.ots.ca.gov.
