The Super Bowl is one of America’s most highly anticipated sports events when friends and family often gather in homes, bars, and restaurants to watch the game.
Whether attending the game, watching at a bar or hosting a party, the California Highway Patrol joins with the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Football League, and TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management) to remind everyone that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
Before choosing to drink, choose your team’s most valuable player – a sober designated driver.
“We want everyone to enjoy the game this year, but most importantly, we want everyone to get home safely,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Be sure to designate your sober driver before you head to your destination.”
Saving the telephone numbers for your local taxi services on your mobile device ahead of time is highly recommended.
“If you plan on drinking alcohol during the big game, we encourage you to designate a sober driver or plan for alternative modes of transportation such as a taxi cab to get you home safely,” said Office of Traffic Safety Acting Director Russia Chavis. “A taxi cab may cost you $30, but that’s nothing compared to the $10,000 or more in fees, fines, and the stigma that can stem from getting a DUI.”
In a continued effort to keep the roads safe, the CHP is reminding motorists to be extra vigilant this weekend. Any motorist who sees a suspected drunk driver is asked to call 9-1-1 and provide the vehicle’s description, license plate number, location, and direction of travel.
Preliminary figures from Super Bowl Sunday in 2012 indicated there were 221 alcohol-involved collisions statewide, which resulted in five people killed and at least 114 people injured.
If the number of collisions is not enough to deter drivers who may be impaired, consider that last year (2013) on Super Bowl Sunday, a total of 390 drivers were arrested statewide for DUI by the CHP.
The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security to the people of California.