Salem-news.com reports that a new campaign launched by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is aimed at preventing the dangerous drunk driving accidents that may occur at Super Bowl Sunday parties around the country. With the slogan “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk,” the NHTSA and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), with support from the National Football League (NFL) and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM), launched an anti-drunk driving campaign to urge football fans to not let drunk driving penalize their Super Bowl plans.
According to the NHTSA, Super Bowl Sunday has become one of the nation’s most dangerous days on the road due to impaired driving. Forty-eight percent of fatalities nationwide on Super Bowl Sunday involve a driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. In 2010, 31 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the U.S. were alcohol impaired driving-related. To prevent a serious drunk driving accident from occurring, the NHTSA offers these tips for party hosts or pigskin fans watching at a sports bar or restaurant:
For Party Hosts
- Make sure any party-goers designate a driver before the big game begins, or help arrange ride sharing with sober drivers.
- Serve lots of food, and try to have non-alcoholic beverage options for guests.
- For anyone thinking of driving after they have been drinking, keep the numbers of cab companies handy for a safe ride home, or if possible, allow guests to spend the night if they are unable to drive.
For Fans Watching the Game at a Party or Public Place
- Designate a sober driver before the game begins and give that person your keys, or call a cab, a friend, or a family member to come pick you up if unable to drive when you are ready to go.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself, and be sure to eat food and alternate with non-alcoholic beverages.
Following these safety tips can ensure that your guests, or you if you are a partygoer, get home safely on game day. However, another person may choose to get behind the wheel after drinking, which can result in a serious, life-threatening accident. If you have been involved in a drunk driving accident in Illinois, the drunk driving accident attorneys in Chicago with the Bradley Law Firm can help you obtain compensation for your injuries and hold any responsible parties accountable. Call (312) 252-1488 for a complimentary consultation.
