Hand-Off Your Keys This Super Bowl Sunday

LEONARDTOWN - 1/31/2008

 If you plan on drinking alcohol while cheering your team on to victory at local establishments in St. Mary’s County, pass your keys to a sober, designated driver before the party begins.   If during your celebration you find yourself without a safe, sober ride, make the right call; call a friend or ask your friendly bartender about Tipsy Taxi, a safe, sober, FREE ride home.  Whatever you do don’t get behind the wheel.

 St. Mary’s County Highway Safety Program Division of Community Services, law enforcement officials, and participating establishments remind everyone to act responsibly if they plan on using alcohol this Super Bowl weekend.  The Tipsy Taxi program is sponsored by the Board of Commissioners for St. Mary’s County and the St. Mary’s County Highway Safety Program Division of Community Services grantor Maryland State
Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Office.

 St. Mary’s County Highway Safety Program announced today that they are joining forces with the National Football League (NFL), the Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management Coalition (TEAM), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other local, state, and federal organizations and law enforcement to promote designated drivers during the Super Bowl weekend.

 “We want to remind everyone this weekend to follow the rules or law enforcement will penalize you for driving impaired.  We want everyone to make the right call for the big game.” said Lt. Brian Cedar, Maryland State Police- Leonardtown Barrack.

 Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s biggest and most entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Yet, it is also one of the nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving.

 According to NHTSA, 130 people, representing 39 percent of all traffic fatalities, died during the 2006 Super Bowl weekend in crashes involving impaired drivers with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of .08 or higher. 

 Sheriff Tim Cameron, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, said “Designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone’s Super Bowl party list.  If you are at a local establishment designate a driver before the party begins, call a friend, or use Tipsy Taxi”.

 If you happen to see a suspected impaired driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact you local law enforcement.  And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive impaired or ride with an impaired driver, take the keys and help them make other arrangements.  As a last resort, contact local law enforcement.  Dial 911 or #77 on your cell phone.

 If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:

?   Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself-eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
?   Designate your sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
?   If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend or family member to come and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
?   Use St. Mary’s County’s Tipsy Taxi; ask your friendly bartender;
?   Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired. Remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
?   Always buckle up - it’s still your best defense against other impaired drivers.

 If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:
?   Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
?   Serve lots of food--and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
?   Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.
?   Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.