The Southwest Coalition of Safe Communities announced today that they are joining forces with the National Football League (NFL), the Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management Coalition (TEAM), Recording Artists, Actors and Athletes Against Drunk Driving (RADD), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other state and local highway safety and law enforcement officials to remind everyone to act responsibly by designating a sober driver if they plan on using alcohol this Super Bowl weekend.

“We want to remind everyone this weekend that real Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk,” said Becky Byzewski, Safe Communities Coordinator. “If you plan on using alcohol while cheering your team to victory, pass your keys to a sober, designated driver before the Super Bowl party begins. Follow the rules or law enforcement will penalize you for driving impaired. We want everyone to make the right play for the big game.”

Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s biggest and most entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Yet, it is also one of the nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving.

According to NHTSA, 158 people died, representing 51 percent of all traffic fatalities during the 2004 Super Bowl weekend, due to impaired drivers with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of .08 and higher.

Becky Byzewski said that designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone’s Super Bowl party list.

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 desert.
• Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and stake the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.

If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a 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 the 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 and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
• 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.

For more information, visit www.stopimpaireddriving.org or www.teamcoalition.org or your local Safe Communities Coalition.