An official website of the United States government.
Super Bowl LVI: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk
Each year, the Super Bowl garners millions of viewers, with many taking the opportunity to cheer on their favored team with a night out or by attending a party. To help keep Americans safe on the roads, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reminding football enthusiasts that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. This year, the Big Game falls on Sunday, February 13, 2022. If your night involves alcohol outside your home, plan for a sober ride home. If you’re hosting a party, take care of your guests. Keep reading for tips on how to stay safe on Super Bowl Sunday.
Designated Drivers
- Take your role as designated driver seriously — people are relying on you. If you’re attending a party, enjoy the food and nonalcoholic drinks. Refrain from any alcoholic beverages or other drugs.
- Boast about your MVP status on social media using the hashtag #DesignatedDriver. Your positive influence could help keep other sober drivers on the right track.
Prepare for a Safe Huddle
If you plan to attend a party, make sure your evening includes a plan for getting home safely. Follow these safety tips, and you’ll be on your way to being an MVP.
- You know the rules: It’s illegal to drive drunk. Before you head out to a Super Bowl party, make a game plan that includes a sober driver — someone who will not drink at all, and will safely bring you home.
- Make sure your designated driver is actually sober. If he or she decides to drink unexpectedly, call a sober ride.
Hosts
If you are hosting a Super Bowl party, be sure all your guests have a sober ride home.
- Ask your guests to designate their sober drivers in advance.
- Encourage your drinking guests to pace themselves, eat food, and drink plenty of water.
Know the Risks
Impaired driving is a serious problem with serious consequences. Don’t become another statistic.
- In 2019, there were 10,142 people killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.
- The consequences of drunk driving can be deadly, but they can also be expensive. Drunk drivers can face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and many other unanticipated expenses, including attorney’s fees, court costs, and lost wages due to time off from work. The average DUI costs approximately $10,000.
- Know your state’s laws: Refusing to take a breath test in many jurisdictions can result in arrest, loss of your driver’s license, and impoundment of your vehicle. Not to mention the embarrassment of explaining your situation to family, friends, and employers.
In many communities, drivers are now transporting alcohol more routinely. If your community allows alcohol for carryout, remember to transport it in a leak-proof container, leaving stickers and seals in place. No straws should be placed in the containers. In many states, open containers are prohibited in any seating area of a vehicle, including the driver’s side, passenger side, or back seat, even if the vehicle is stopped or parked. Remember that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Ensure you are following open container laws.
For Super Bowl LVI, be a team player and remember: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. For more information on the dangers of drunk driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.