Home Super Bowl 50: Friends don’t let friends drive drunk from their SB party
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Super Bowl 50: Friends don’t let friends drive drunk from their SB party

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super bowl 50Whether a Panthers or a Broncos fan, a guaranteed game-day loser is anyone who chooses to drive drunk on Super Bowl Sunday. The Virginia State Police is reminding all Virginians that if your game plan includes drinking as part of the Super Bowl festivities, then add a designated driver to your lineup.

Whether attending the game, watching at a restaurant or sports bar, or hosting a party, the Virginia State Police, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the NFL remind everyone that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. Before choosing to drink, choose your team’s MVP – a sober designated driver.

If attending a Super Bowl party or watching the game at a sports bar or restaurant:

  • Designate your sober driver, or plan another way to get home safely before the party begins.
  • 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 in for the night.
  • Use your community’s sober ride program, reserve an Uber ride, or take public transportation.
  • Never let friends drive if they have had too much to drink.
  • Always buckle up – it’s still your best defense against drunk drivers.

If hosting a Super Bowl party:

  • Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash.
  • Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange alternate transportation.
  • 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 has had too much to drink.

“Not only does an impaired driver put lives at risk on our highways, but also runs the very likely risk of getting arrested for DUI,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “On Sunday, Virginia troopers will be stepping up patrols during and following the Super Bowl in order to deter, detect and arrest drunk drivers. No game or drink is worth losing a life over, so please be responsible and Drive to Save Lives.”

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