SUPER BOWL XLVII!
As
thousands of Oregonians join millions across the country planning to gather and
watch America’s most popular sporting event, the Super Bowl, law enforcement
and traffic safety partners urge everyone not to let drunk driving destroy your
plans.
The
excitement is building for one of America’s most anticipated and celebrated
sporting events. The Super Bowl brings
together friends, families and fans each year to cheer on their teams. Many will gather at sports bars, restaurants
or Super Bowl Parties. The U.S.
Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), along with the National Football League have joined with local highway
safety and law enforcement officials to spread an important safety message to
the public about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
Before
choosing to drink, choose a sober designated driver. Avoid the unsportsmanlike conduct of driving
drunk by handing off your keys so that you, your passengers and everyone on our
roads can safely arrive home. Drunk
driving is always preventable and driving drunk could result in seriously
injuring or killing yourself or someone else.
Expect the police to have a visible presence and to stop anyone who
makes the dangerous decision to drink and drive.
According
to the Oregon Department of Transportation Crash Statistics, alcohol was a
factor in 45 crashes in Bend in 2011, resulting in 21 needless injuries. Three people died, representing half of the
2011 traffic fatalities in Bend.
According
to the NHTSA, 10,288 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in 2010. These drunk driving fatalities accounted for
31 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the U.S. In addition, alcohol impairment among drivers
involved in fatal crashes was almost twice as high during the weekend than
during weekdays, and four times higher at night than during the day.
Here
are some suggestions -
If
you’re attending a Super Bowl Party
or watching the game at a bar or restaurant:
* Designate your sober driver before the party begins.
* 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 the services of the local Bend business, “Sober
Dudes”. For $20 within Bend city limits,
two sober dudes will come to you and drive you and your car home. Check out their service on Facebook
(soberdudesllc) or their website www.soberdudes.com.
* Never let friends drive drunk. Arrange a safe way for them to get home.
* Always buckle up.
It’s still your best defense against 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.
* Host your party just 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 the local cab company and Sober
Dudes LLC on hand and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving
drunk.
