KANSAS CITY – Americans love a good party, and Super Bowl LVI is one of the most anticipated. Super Bowl LVI is on Sunday, February 13, 2022.
To keep drivers and partygoers safe on the roads, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 7, compromised of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska wants to remind football fans everywhere that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
Whether you’re heading out to a restaurant or a Super Bowl party, if your night involves drinking alcohol, make sure you plan for a designated driver to drive you home safely at the night’s end.
We know that drunk driving kills. In 2019, there were 10,142 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving drunk drivers – 612 fatalities in our region. You know that many Super Bowl parties will involve alcohol, so play it smart by having a winning game plan in place to not drink and drive.
Defenses win championships; your best defense is to plan a safe ride. From buses and trains to car services and designated drivers, connect with an option that will get you home safely. If you plan on hosting an event, you’re the head coach. Make the right call and take keys before any friends drink and drive.
“We want football fans to enjoy Super Bowl festivities, but we also want responsible drivers on the road,” said Regional Administrator Susan DeCourcy. “In 2019, 25.7% of our region’s crash fatalities were due to drunk drivers. If you are planning to be away from home during the Super Bowl, make a game plan to ensure you don’t find yourself without a designated driver if you need one. If you’re hosting a party, make sure your designated drivers stay accountable. Remind your friends and family: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.”
Whether you’re attending a party, hosting one, or going out to a bar, keep safety at the forefront of your night. When it’s time to leave, make sure your designated driver is actually sober. If you’re planning to be a designated driver, know that you’re the night’s MVP. No matter what, do not drink alcohol — people are relying on you.
Drunk driving isn’t the only risk on the road: Drug-impaired driving is also an increasing problem. If drivers are impaired by any substance they should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle. It is illegal in all states and the District of Columbia to drive impaired by alcohol or other drugs. The bottom line is this: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. It’s that simple.
Only one team wins the Super Bowl, but if you drive drunk or high, you may lose money, your reputation, your car, and even your life. We’re all on the same team when it comes to preventing impaired driving. We hope it’s a great game and that you enjoy it – safely – with friends and family. Remember: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. For more information about the dangers of drunk driving, visit https://bit.ly/NHTSASuperBowlDrunkDriving.