Sheriff's Office Urges Use Of Super Bowl Weekend Sober Drivers

HAMILTON COUNTY, IN — Super Bowl LII is going down Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia, and with it comes plenty of fun local festivities. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said in a release sent to Patch that the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is teaming up with Hamilton County Traffic Safety Partnership to remind football fans and festivity-goers that designated drivers are the "best defense" against drunk driving dangers. Therefore, if your night involves alcohol at bars or homes, the sheriff's office said to plan for a sober ride home, and is reminding everyone that "Fans Don't let Fans Drive Drunk."

“The Super Bowl should be a night of fun, so we want our community folks to plan safe rides home if they plan to be out at a party,” said Hamilton County Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush, in a statement. “Even one drink can impair judgment. You should never put yourself, or others, at risk because you made the choice to drink and drive. For most, even one drink can be one too many.”

Start your night with a game plan because safety should be your number one priority, the sheriff's office said, adding that when it’s time to leave the party, make sure your designated driver is actually sober. If he or she decided to drink, you should call a cab, use the NHTSA SaferRide app, which allows users to call a taxi or a predetermined friend, and identifies the user’s location so he or she can be picked up. You could also use another a ride service app, or call someone who you know hasn’t been drinking.

Although it's illegal everywhere in America to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, thousands die each year in drunk-driving-related crashes, the sheriff's office said. In 2017, there were 10,874 people killed in drunk-driving crashes. If you’re caught drinking and driving, you could face jail time, lose your driver’s license and your vehicle, and pay up to $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, car towing and repairs, higher insurance rates, and lost wages.

Other reminders from the sheriff's office:

• Walking impaired can also be dangerous, so designate a sober friend to walk home with you if needed.
• If you are driving, remember that sober driving isn’t the only law that should be followed, as you, the driver and other passengers must wear your seat belts.
• If you’re planning on being the designated driver, refrain from drinking alcohol, not even one drink—"it’s that simple. People are relying on you," the sheriff's office said.
• If someone you know has been drinking and tries to drive, take their keys and help them get home safely. They’ll thank you later.
• If you’re hosting this year’s Super Bowl party, prepare plenty of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for your guests and the designated drivers.
• Ask your guests to designate their sober drivers in advance, or help them coordinate with other party goers’ designated drivers.
• Encourage your drinking guests to pace themselves, to eat food, and to drink plenty of water.
• Do not serve alcohol to minors. If an underage person drinks and drives, the person who provided the alcohol could be held liable for any damage, injury, or death caused by the underage driver. In fact, you could face jail time if you host a party where alcohol is served to people under the age of 21.

The sheriff's office asks you to contact Hamilton County Public Safety Communications at 317-773-1282 or 9-1-1 for an emergency, if you see a drunk driver on the road.

Encourage other designated drivers on social media using the hashtag #designateddriver. Let @NHTSAgov know you are the #DesignatedDriver so they can add your name to the Wall of Fame.

More information: trafficsafetymarketing.gov

Image via NHTSA/HCSO