Football fans around Oregon are gearing up for this weekend’s Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb.1, as our neighbors to the north contend for top honors in the big event.
According to National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, impaired drivers contribute to Super Bowl Sunday becoming one of the most dangerous days on the road. Nationwide, approximately 48 percent of traffic fatalities on Super Bowl Sunday involve a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. OSP, local sheriffs and police departments will be on the lookout for impaired drivers and encourage everyone to place the designation of a sober driver at the top of their Super Bowl game plan.
Before choosing to drink, choose a sober designated driver. If you’re attending a Super Bowl party or watching the game at a sports bar or restaurant:
• Designate your sober driver before the party begins.
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself. Eat plenty of food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
• Make sure your ride is sober before letting him/her drive you.
• 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 if possible stay where you are for the night and don’t drive until you are sober.
• Use your community’s sober ride program.
• Never let a friend drive drunk. Arrange a safe way for them to get home.
• Always buckle up. It’s still your best defense against other drunk drivers.
If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party:
• Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers.
• Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
• If you plan to stay sober, offer to drive guests home.
• Encourage guests to pace themselves.
• Host your party like they do at the stadium. Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game. The fourth quarter is perfect for serving coffee and dessert.
• Keep the phone numbers of local cab companies on hand and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving drunk.
• Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash.
Support zero tolerance for impaired driving by reporting impaired drivers to 9-1-1 or OSP at 1-800-24DRUNK (1-800-243-7865).
OSP and ODOT understand that not everyone will be in front of a TV watching the game, so those traveling are urged to “Know Before You Go”, monitoring media reports for weather forecasts and keeping up-to-date on road conditions at www.TripCheck.com.
