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| 1/27/2006 |
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For More Information Contact:
Heidi Hiaasen, Project Communications, 541-388-6178
Julianne Repman, Public Information, 541-388-6224
Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk
Pass Your Keys to a Designated Driver on Super Bowl Sunday
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) wants to encourage everyone to act responsibly by designating a sober driver if they plan on using alcohol during the Super Bowl weekend.
“We want to remind everyone that real fans don’t let fans drive drunk,” said Debbie Williams, traffic safety coordinator for ODOT. “If you plan on using alcohol while cheering your team on 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.
During the 2004 Super Bowl weekend, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 158 people died due to impaired drivers with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of .08% and higher. This represented 51 percent of all traffic fatalities during that weekend.
Williams 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 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:
• 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 that 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.
The TEAM Coalition—an alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaries, the beer industry, broadcasters, traffic safety experts and others—works to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at all sports and entertainment facilities.
For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org or www.TeamCoalition.org.
##ODOT##
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