The Super Bowl is this weekend, and there will most likely be many Super Bowl parties being hosted throughout the Bakersfield area. These parties help make the Super Bowl a more social occasion, allowing you to enjoy the big game with your close friends while eating lots of good food and enjoying a few drinks. But be careful when drinking at a Super Bowl party, especially if you plan on driving home. The Super Bowl has become one of the biggest drinking events of the year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it ranks as one of the most dangerous times of the year for drunk driving fatalities. According to the most recent NHTSA data (taken in 2012), 43% of all fatal car accidents on Super Bowl Sunday involve a drunk driver, compared to 31% of fatalities on an average day. With these alarming statistics in mind, you should make sure you take the following steps to stay safe after the Super Bowl this weekend:
- Make sure you have a designated driver
- If everyone in your group is too drunk to drive home, call a taxi
- If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, don’t let anyone drive home if they’ve been drinking – offer them your couch instead
- Be on the lookout for erratic drivers who may be intoxicated
- Call the police and report any drivers who appear to be drunk