Key To A Winning Super Bowl Party

Sonora, CA – Many football fans will be heading to parties this Super Bowl Sunday and the CHP calls on fans to celebrate responsibly.

One of the ways to do that is to designate a non-drinking driver.  CHP Officer Nick Norton explains, “The key to a sober driver is not somebody who had a drink during that time frame and says they’re okay, but somebody who hasn’t been drinking [alcohol] the whole time.”

In 2012, the most recent data available, nearly 225 crashes on Super Bowl Sunday involved alcohol according to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System.  Eight of those wrecks resulted in deaths and 79 in injuries.  Additionally, 422 people were arrested for DUI in the state.

Norton says football party hosts can also plan ahead by having guests turn over their keys when they arrive or, “Maybe they have one person set up as the designated driver who is going to give a ride to everyone that needs it.  They can also work out a deal and have a cab company come pick up three or four people and the riders split the cost.”

Motorists can also help keep the roadways safe by calling 9-1-1 if they spot a suspected drunk driver.  Norton says having a description of the car, a license plate number, location and direction of travel will help officers.