Festivities for Sunday’s big game are fast approaching with scores of people making plans such as where to watch and what to eat and drink. AAA Mid-Atlantic advises party planners and football fans to prepare by designating a sober driver or arranging for alternate transportation options. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities often spike on holidays and popular drinking days, like Super Bowl Sunday. Drunk driving can be deadly, and even small amounts of alcohol can impair judgment to make driving unsafe. In 2016, there were 10,497 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving drunk drivers.

“Tragically, Super Bowl Sunday is becoming one of the most deadly days on our roads because of drunk drivers. As we celebrate and cheer on our favorite team, it’s important not to take the festivities on the road,” advised Ragina Cooper Averella, Public and Government Affairs Manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “This is especially key for this year’s game as roads may be slick with Sunday’s wintry forecast.”

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) will be conducting high-visibility impaired driving enforcement throughout all MDTA-patrolled jurisdictions on Sunday. Maryland State Police and local law enforcement will be patrolling the roads as well.

If motorists see a driver on the road who appears to be impaired, they should ask their passenger to call 911 or pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road.

Tips for a Safe Big Game Party

Be a responsible partygoer:

• If you plan to drive, don’t drink.
• If you plan to drink, select a designated driver and give them your car keys.
• If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home or call a cab or a ride share service.
• Buckle up—it’s your best defense against other impaired drivers.

Be a responsible host:

• Serve food and provide non-alcoholic beverages. Visit www.AAA.com/Mocktails for cocktail recipes without the alcohol.
• Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
• Avoid holding an open bar and mix your guest’s drinks yourself.
• 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.

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and more than 937,000 members in Maryland.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit AAA.com.