From Deseret News archives:
Don't drink, drive after game
That's the message being given today by the Utah Highway Patrol and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in conjunction with the NFL.
Troopers say those who drink alcohol while watching the Super Bowl should not try to drive home after the game.
To try to keep drunk drivers off the road, the UHP will staff full shifts today from Weber to Utah counties in addition to its 10-man DUI squad.
Although Super Bowl Sunday might not have the reputation as other notable drinking days such as Halloween and New Year's Eve, some troopers said once they saw the statistics it surprised even them.
According to the NHTSA, 158 people nationwide were killed in traffic accidents involving drunk drivers during the 2004 Super Bowl weekend. The alcohol-related fatalities represented 51 percent of all traffic deaths that weekend, according to NHTSA.
But Teri Pectol, with the NHTSA in Utah, said it's not that surprising when considering the demographics of people most likely to get in accidents and those who like football.
"Males aged 21 to 34 are most likely to be involved in automobile crashes, to drive while impaired and to be among those least likely to wear their safety belts. This demographic is also the core audience for major sporting events like the Super Bowl," she said.
Pectol said it's best for football fans to select their designated driver before the party begins.
"When you get a bunch of people together and drink and watch the game, they don't think about it then," she said.
Pectol also advises fans to not drink too fast and to make sure they are also eating enough food to go along with their drinking.
Other tips include:
• Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter and begin serving coffee and dessert.
• Keep the numbers of local cab companies handy.
• Take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com
