Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk

The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) announced today that it is teaming with the National Football League (NFL), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and other state and local highway safety and law enforcement agencies to remind everyone to designate a sober driver if they plan to be partying with alcohol on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7.

“We want everyone who will be celebrating to remember that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk,” said KOHS Division of Highway Safety Programs Director Boyd Sigler. “Please designate a sober driver before the Super Bowl party begins, and leave your car keys at home.”

In an effort to take the message directly to the public, the KOHS distributed posters to businesses statewide including liquor establishments, restaurants and bars. The poster not only promotes the use of a designated driver, but shows support for those taking on the important responsibility.

“We are asking all party hosts and bar owners to take special care of designated drivers,” said Sigler. “By making sure these drivers know how much they are appreciated, this year’s celebration will be extra special – and extra safe.”

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 has also become one of the nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving.

Nearly a third of all motor-vehicle fatalities in 2008 – 32 percent – occurred in crashes attributed to alcohol impairment – meaning a driver or motorcycle rider had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, according to NHTSA research. But that rate jumped to 49 percent – nearly half – in the period of Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3 to 5:59 a.m. on Feb. 4.

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 nonalcoholic 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 is thinking of driving while impaired.

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 leave your car keys at home.

Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast.

Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with nonalcoholic 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 Rides program.

Never let a friend get behind the wheel if you think they are 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 http://highwaysafety.ky.gov and www.Stopimpaireddriving.org.

Jack Hutchinson, program coordinator for the KOHS, places a designated driver poster at the Liquor Barn on Plaudit Place in Lexington.

Designated Driver Poster

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