DON'T LET DRUNK DRIVING PENALIZE YOUR SUPER BOWL PLANS - FANS DON'T LET FANS DRIVE DRUNK
Posted: January 30th, 2012 11:44 AM
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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 penalize your plans. The U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with support from the National Football League (NFL) and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM), have joined forces with state and local highway safety and law enforcement officials to spread an important safety message about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday – Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk.
Oregon State Police (OSP), Oregon State Sheriff's Association, Oregon Association Chiefs of Police and ODOT ask fans to huddle up now and make plans to ensure you don't make a critical mistake that affects you and others on Oregon roads.
"Make the right call and have the keys in the hands of your designated driver so everyone can get home safely," said Captain Mike Dingeman, director of the OSP Patrol Services Division.
According to NHTSA, Super Bowl Sunday has become one of the nation's most dangerous days on the road due to impaired driving. Forty-eight (48) percent of fatalities nationwide on Super Bowl Sunday involve a driver or motorcycle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. In 2010, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States.
Last year, two people died on Oregon roads following crashes after the conclusion of the Super Bowl football game. Both were in alcohol-involved traffic crashes. Over the last five years on Super Bowl weekend, 11 people have died in traffic crashes on Oregon roads.
The following statistics reflect DUII arrests by OSP troopers and traffic fatalities reported between 12:01 a.m., Saturday, through 5:59 a.m., Monday, during the previous five Super Bowl weekends:
* 2011 Super Bowl weekend - 2 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 59 DUII arrests
* 2010 Super Bowl weekend - 0 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 58 DUII arrests
* 2009 Super Bowl weekend - 2 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 50 DUII arrests
* 2008 Super Bowl weekend - 5 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 23 DUII arrests
* 2007 Super Bowl weekend - 2 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 42 DUII arrests
Oregon State Police, Oregon State Sheriff's Association, Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, ODOT and MADD stress that designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone's Super Bowl party list. Join their team and report possible intoxicated drivers to 9-1-1 or Oregon State Police dispatch at 1-800-24DRUNK (800-243-7856).
"Just as the players on the field prepare for the game, you can prepare for a safe celebration as well," said Troy Costales, ODOT's Safety Division administrator.
If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:
* Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers before kick-off or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
* Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
* Determine ahead of time when you'll stop serving alcohol, such as one hour before the party ends or at the end of the third quarter (just like NFL stadiums) 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.
* Be prepared for guests to spend the night if an alternative way home is not available.
* Remember, you can be held liable if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash.
If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:
* Designate your sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
* Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
* 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 just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
* Use your community's sober ride programs.
* 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, and always buckle up – it's still your best defense against other impaired drivers.
Additional tips and more information are also available at www.StopImpairedDriving.org.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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