WASHINGTON, D. C. (Friday, January 31, 2020) ––The Super Bowl is billed as “America’s most popular national sporting event.” No doubt, Super Bowl LIV will live up to its billing. Whether you are cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs or rooting for the San Francisco 49ers, or tuning in simply to watch the halftime show featuring Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, AAA is reminding everyone to know the X’s and O’s of getting home safely on Super Bowl Sunday. Beware of “unsportsmanlike conduct” on area roads.

“Nearly one-third (32 percent) of all U.S. traffic deaths on game day involve drunk drivers,” warns the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), citing NHTSA’s FARS data. On another game day in 2018, a fan leaving a Washington football game at Fed Ex Field became involved in a violent rear-end collision on Indian Head Highway. That tragic incident claimed the lives of three young siblings; 5-year-old twins, Alexander and Rosalie Mejia, and their 13-month-old brother, Isaac. The impact left their parents severely injured. The 27-year-old driver of the striking vehicle pleaded guilty to “three counts of motor vehicle manslaughter and two counts of causing life threatening injuries while under the influence of alcohol.”

“It is a reminder that before the big game, football fans must call the plays in advance and have a plan in place to get home safely after a night of fandom, fun and festivities,” said John B.  Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Manager of Public and Government Affairs. “In a town known for having some of drunkest NFL fans around, it is imperative for everyone to have a game plan for staying safe. Designate a non-drinking driver, call a cab or arrange to stay with a friend before kicking off your Super Bowl Sunday celebrations!”

While Super Bowl Sunday is “the drunkest day” in the month of February, Saint Valentine’s Day ushers in “one of the highest BAC weeks all year.” Yet “there are very few days of the year that bring all Americans to drink together, and one of those days is Super Bowl Sunday,” according to Medical Daily. Don’t make a rookie mistake. Super Bowl Sunday also emerges as one of the “biggest beer-buying holidays.” It is estimated 49.2 million cases of beer are sold for Super Bowl events and viewing parties across the nation.

The Maryland State Police made “44 DUI arrests, 12 drug-related arrests, and nine criminal arrests,” and responded to 85 crashes last year on Super Bowl Sunday. Troopers also issued 1,197 citations and 1,001 warnings. “Researchers estimate that between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., the time when Super Bowl party-goers will be heading home, three out of every 10 drivers are drunk,” according to the Virginia Highway Safety Office (VAHSO). “More than one-third of these drivers have been drinking at someone else’s home.”

Avoid an “illegal motion in the backfield” penalty. If you are hosting a Super Bowl 54 Party in Maryland, you can be “held liable for and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in an impaired-driving crash,” warns the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). So, if you are throwing a Super Bowl party, stop serving alcohol at the beginning of the third quarter of the game - begin serving coffee and dessert.

“Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs is a major contributing factor in crashes and roadway deaths in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and across the length and the breadth of the Washington

Metro Area,” warns Leah Scully, Traffic Safety Specialist, AAA Mid-Atlantic. “If you spot someone who

appears to be an impaired driver when you are on the road, keep a safe distance and dial 911 in the District and Maryland, and #77 in Virginia, if it is safe to do so, of course. Do not attempt to stop the vehicle yourself.”

“All across the country, millions of people gather to socialize and watch the big game,” the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is reminding everyone. What is more, “studies also indicate that Super Bowl Sunday can be one of the worst days of the year for motor vehicle collisions.” In fact, “researchers identified three major factors contributing to an increase in car crashes after the Super Bowl.” They include: 

• Fatigue due to the late hour.
• Alcohol consumption during the game.
• Distractions from re-creating or re-playing the game in your head.

Impaired driving is criminal conduct. Put on your game face. Abstaining from alcohol or having a safe ride home are two options that allow you to enjoy the game responsibly. In 2018, there were 10,511 fatalities in crashes involving drivers with BACs of .08 or higher, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It’s imperative that drivers take steps to stay off the road if they are impaired.

Don’t get flagged for a “helmet-to-helmet collision.” Washington ranks 9th among the 10 NFL teams with the drunkest fans. On December 30, 2018, Thomas Hawks was driving at a high rate of speed southbound on Maryland Route 210 while under the influence of alcohol when he slammed into a Honda Accord, occupied by the Mejia family, according to the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney. Hawks was subsequently sentenced to 22 consecutive years in prison. AAA encourages all motorists to Take the Pledge to drive drug- and alcohol-free. Follow these tips to keep roads safer for drivers, passengers and pedestrians:

For drivers:

• Avoid penalty flags. Police agencies will conduct DUI, seat belt and distracted driving enforcement blitz.
• Get into the end zone safely. Don’t drive impaired. Use a ridesharing service. Use a local taxi service. 
• Stay in the pocket. Stay with a friend or book a nearby hotel room if you are impaired. 
• Don’t fumble. Visit Roadwise Rx to see how your medications affect safe driving. 

For hosts: 

• Be a good referee. Stop serving alcohol well before the party ends.
• Offer non-alcoholic drink options and never serve minors. Remember: “Hosts can end up in jail too.”
• Select a “number one draft pick.” Remind guests to plan ahead and designate a sober driver. 
• Everybody’s MVP. Don’t be afraid to take car keys away from guests who are too impaired to drive. 
• Be an eligible receiver. Help arrange alternate transportation or accommodations for guests who need it. 

For everyone:

• Score extra points. Always wear your seatbelt. Nearly 1/2 of vehicle occupants killed in 2017 weren’t buckled.
• A driver is considered alcohol-impaired with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.
• About 50% of fatal crashes in the U.S. occurred on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, as was the case in 2017.

It is an intentional foul. Impaired driving is a crime without excuse. Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s biggest and most entertaining national sporting events for friends and families gathering to socialize and watch the big game,” notes the Maryland MVA. “Yet, it has also become one of the Nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving.” AAA works year-round to educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving in an effort to reduce traffic-related crashes and injuries. PreventDUI.AAA.com is an online resource offering facts about impaired driving, transportation alternatives and expert advice. 

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AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and nearly 82,000 members in the District of Columbia.  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  https://aaa.com