The men in my family couldn’t wait for the Super Bowl. The women usually made other plans. However, both sexes participated in the party planning. The person with the biggest TV and who had the most room was usually the host. It is not only important to plan the food and drinks for the event but we also want to provide safety tips, suggestions and hosting ideas to help keep everyone safe after the party. 

This is also true if you are going to the game. Staying safe and keeping others safe should be the priority. The goal here is not only to enjoy something truly spectacular but to ensure that no one gets hurt, injured or dies in the process. 

Follow these tips to have fun, stay alive, and avoid getting pulled over or crashing your vehicle on game day.

Are You Drinking?

• Before Super Bowl Sunday, make a game plan that includes a sober driver – someone who is not drinking at all.

• Leave your keys at home and designate a sober driver.

• Consider getting a sober ride or taxi to your destination, so you won’t even have the option later to drive impaired.

• Avoid drinking too much alcohol.  Pace yourself. Eat plenty of food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.

• Stop drinking after the third quarter, just like they do at the actual stadium.

• Make sure your designated driver is sober, not just less intoxicated than you.

• Don’t let others drive impaired. Arrange a safe way for them to get home, too.

• 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 get you; or if possible, stay where you are for the night and don’t drive until you are sober.

• When you ride home with your sober driver, wear your seat belt. It’s your best defense in a crash.

• Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.

Are You the Designated Driver?

If so, don’t drink or take drugs. Your responsible choices can save lives.

• Enjoy the party with food and non-alcoholic drinks.

• Brag about your MVP status on social media using the hashtag #designateddriver.

• Wear your seat belt and require your passengers to do the same.

• If someone you know has been drinking and tries to drive, do everything possible to help them get home safely. They’ll thank you later. Remember,

Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

Are You Hosting a Super Bowl Party?

If so, plan how you’ll prevent your guests from driving impaired and help get them home safely.

• Ask all of your guests to designate their sober drivers in advance, or help them arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers. If you plan to stay sober, offer to drive guests home.

• Encourage your drinking guests to pace themselves.

• Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party.

• Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter—this is a good time to serve coffee and dessert.

• Thank the designated sober drivers at your party. You could even acknowledge them on social media using the hashtag #designateddriver.

• Keep the phone numbers of local cab companies on hand and take the keys away from any guests who are thinking of driving drunk.

• Remember, if you serve a guest alcohol and he or she gets in a drunk-driving crash that night, you could be held liable.

• If an underage person drinks and drives, the parent or guardian may be legally liable for any damage, injury or death caused by the underage driver. DO NOT SERVE TO THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 21!!!!!

• Likewise, parents or other adults who provide alcohol to – or host a party where alcohol is available to – those under age 21, could face jail time.

Are You Aware of the Risks?

Drunk driving is a serious problem with serious consequences. Don’t become a Super Bowl stat.

• Drunk driving crashes kills more than 13,000 men, women and children annually.

• Impaired drivers face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost wages due to time off from work.

• In Virginia, for example, you can face up to 12 months in jail plus a fine of up to $2500 on a first offense. This does not include attorney fees. 

• Refusing to take a breath test in many jurisdictions results in immediate arrest, the loss of your driver’s license on the spot and the impoundment of your vehicle. Also, there’s the added embarrassment, humiliation, and consequences of telling family, friends and employers of your arrest.

• If you injure or kill someone in an impaired driving crash, it’s something you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life.

We hope your team wins!

Candace Lighter, Founder
We Save Lives
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Author, “Giving Sorrow Words: How to Cope with Grief and Get On with Your Life”