Drunken driving will penalize your Super Bowl plans

BRUNSWICK, Ohio - Millions of Americans will gather to watch the Super Bowl on Feb. 5. Medina County Safe Communities, along with the U.S. Department of Transportation and NFL and others, have teamed up with local law enforcement
to spread a safety message: designate a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday -- Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

“This message is for everyone who will be drinking during the big game," said Brunswick Police Chief Carl DeForest. "Make the right play and pass your keys to a designated driver so they can get you home safely. There is no excuse to get flagged for a false start. The men and women of Brunswick Division of Police will be out to stop anyone who decides to drink and drive."

In 2010, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities was responsible for 31 percent of the total traffic fatalities in the United States.

Driving while impaired could result in a loss of your driver’s license and possibly the loss of your, or
someone else’s, life.

If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:

• Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers before kick-off, or help arrange rides with sober drivers.
• Find unique ways to recognize the designated drivers at your party
• Give them a great spot to watch the game
• Whatever non-alcoholic beverage they are drinking, make sure their glass is always full
• Let them have the first pass at the buffet table
• Make sure their cars are easy to access when it is time to start driving people home
• Serve plenty of food
• Offer a variety of non-alcoholic choices like soft drinks, juice, and water
• Serve one drink at a time and serve measured drinks
• Only serve alcohol to guests 21 years old and up
• Determine ahead of time when you’ll stop serving alcohol, such as one hour before the party ends or at the end of the third quarter, just  like NFL stadiums
• Add the numbers of local cab companies into your phone so they are just one touch away
• Be prepared for guests to spend the night if an alternative way home is not available
• Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served alcohol to ends up in a drunk driving crash