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Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk

Posted on: January 29, 2014
Tags: Police, Press Release

Press Release January 29, 2014

Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk


Clearcreek Township, OH- The Super Bowl is one of America’s most highly anticipated sports events, when friends and family gather in homes, bars and restaurants to celebrate. As Super Bowl Sunday approaches and football fans across the country prepare for the game, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), along with the National Football League (NFL) and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition, have joined forces with Clearcreek Township’s local law enforcement officials to spread the message about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday, because – Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. “Clearcreek Township Police will have extra patrols out during Super Bowl weekend.” according to Sgt. Wally Stacy, who administers the High Visibility Enforcement Overtime grant for the township. “The goal of the grant is to have extra patrols out during key times, in key locations and to make the roadways safer through increased enforcement efforts.” During January Clearcreek Township Officers worked an additional 36 hours of traffic patrol resulting in 9 additional citations and one arrest. “We will be focused on the apprehension of those drivers impaired by alcohol during the Super Bowl traffic safety blitz.” said Stacy. According to NHTSA, in 2011, 9,878 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. These crashes were 31 percent more likely to occur on weekends than on weekdays.* Whether attending the game, watching at a bar or hosting a party, NHTSA, TEAM Coalition, the NFL and the Clearcreek Township Police remind everyone that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. Before choosing to drink, choose your team’s MVP – a sober designated driver. 
NHTSA offers these additional safety tips:

If you’re attending a Super Bowl party or are watching the game at a sports bar or restaurant:

  1. Designate your sober driver, or plan another way to get home safely before the party begins.
  2. If you don’t have a designated driver, then ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or just stay for the night.
  3. Use your community’s sober ride program.
  4. Never let friends drive if they have had too much to drink.

If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party:

  1. Make sure all your guests designate a sober driver in advance, or arrange for alternate transportation to ensure they get home safely.
  2. Serve food and include non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
  3. Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.
  4. Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who has had too much to drink.

And remember, your seat belt is your best defense against a drunk driver in a crash. 
*Note: Weekend – Friday 6 p.m. to Monday 5:59 a.m. 
For more information, please visit TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov.

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