Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk
Pass Your Keys to a Sober, Designated Driver Before the Super Bowl Begins
- Super Bowl Sunday is one of the year's most dangerous days on the nation's roadways due to impaired driving.
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 158 people, representing 51 percent of all traffic fatalities, died during the 2004 Super Bowl weekend due to impaired drivers with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of .08% and higher.
- NHTSA reports that young males, ages 21 to 34, are most likely to be involved in automobile crashes, to drive while impaired and to be among those least likely to wear their safety belts. Research also shows that this same demographic is the core audience for major sporting events such as the Super Bowl.
- But alcohol-related crashes-and fatalities-can be prevented. Designating a sober driver before the Super Bowl party begins is just one of several easy steps to remember to help save lives.
If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:
- Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in an impaired driving crash.
- Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
- Serve lots of food-and include 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, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.
If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself-eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
- Designate your sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
- 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 get you; or stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
- Use your community's Sober Rides program;
- Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired. Remember, Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk.
- Always buckle up-it's still your best defense against other impaired drivers.
Impaired Driving is Deadly Dangerous
- Too many people still don't understand that alcohol, drugs and driving don't mix. Impaired driving is no accident-nor is it a victimless crime.
- In 2004, nearly 13,000 people died in highway crashes involving an impaired driver or motorcycle operator with an illegal BAC level of .08% or higher.
- Driving a car or riding a motorcycle while impaired is not worth the risk. The consequences are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be significant.
- The tragedies and costs from drinking and driving impaired do not just end at potential death, disfigurement, disability or injury. Violators who are caught will be spending their money on bail, court fees, lawyers and towing fees.
- Plus there is the added embarrassment, humiliation and potential loss and consequence after informing family, friends and employers.
- Please remember that Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk. Act responsibly-and pass your keys to a sober driver before the big game begins. The life you save might just be your own.
- For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org or www.TeamCoalition.org.
NFL's Season-long Commitment to Community & Traffic Safety
The 2006 Super Bowl effort is part of the NFL-TEAM-RADD's season-long Responsibility Has Its Rewards designated driver program at every NFL stadium
Nationwide, including [closest NFL team name] . Fans who pledged to be designated drivers for each of the two teams that compete in the Super Bowl received two tickets, airfare and hotel accommodations to attend the big game.
In addition, one designated driver from an NFL team that does not play in the Super Bowl will be chose at rand to attend the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii.
During the 2004 season, more than 80,000 football fans pledged to be a sober designated driver. For 2005, TEAM projects more than 100,000 fans will have pledged to make the winning play.
The TEAM Coalition- an alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaries, the beer industry, broadcasters, traffic safety experts and others including RADD-works to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at all sports and entertainment facilities.
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