Virginia Highway Safety Office News Releases

DMV Encourages a Safe and Sober Super Bowl Sunday
Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk

RICHMOND - Whether you're cheering for the Patriots or the Giants February 3, the Department of Motor Vehicles Virginia Highway Safety Office encourages all Virginians to act responsibly on Super Bowl Sunday. If your game plan includes alcohol consumption, arrange now to get a ride home with a sober, designated driver.

Super Bowl Sunday is one of America's most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving. During the 2006 Super Bowl weekend, 130 people died in the United States in crashes involving impaired drivers, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. In Virginia, 100 percent of the traffic fatalities occurring on Feb. 4, 2007*, last year's Super Bowl date, were alcohol related. Eighty percent of 2006's Super Bowl traffic deaths were alcohol-related in Virginia.

"If you plan on drinking alcohol while cheering your team on to victory, pass your keys to a sober, designated driver before the Super Bowl party begins," said DMV Commissioner D.B. Smit. "If you are convicted of drinking and driving, you will face large fines, loss of your license and even jail time."

Smit encourages all motorists to take the Highway Safety Challenge on Super Bowl Sunday and follow these rules of the road:

• Buckle up
• Avoid distractions
• Share the road
• Drive drug and alcohol free
• Obey the speed limit

The Highway Safety Challenge is a partnership between DMV, the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia State Police and a host of other organizations. The goal of the partnership is to improve safety and reduce traffic deaths in Virginia.

If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:

• Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in an impaired driving crash.
• Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
• Serve plenty of food and include a lot of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
• Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired. Take responsibility for your own party.

*Source: Virginia Highway Safety Office; 2007 data is preliminary

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