Upper Sandusky — Americans love a good party, and Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13 is one of the most anticipated. To keep drivers and partygoers safe on the roads, the Wyandot County Safe Communities Coalition and local law enforcement are teaming up to remind football fans everywhere that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. Whether you’re heading out to a restaurant or a Super Bowl party, if the night involves drinking alcohol, make sure there’s a plan for a designated driver to get the team home safely at the night’s end.
“We want our community members to enjoy Super Bowl festivities, but we also want responsible drivers on the road,” Wyandot County Sheriff Todd Frey said. “If you are planning to be away from home during the Super Bowl, make a game plan to ensure you don’t find yourself without a designated driver if you need one. If you’re hosting a party, make sure you take care of your designated drivers. Remind your friends and family: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.”
Before attending or hosting a Super Bowl event, have a game plan:
- Designated drivers: Take your role as designated driver seriously — people are relying on you. If you’re attending a party, enjoy the food and nonalcoholic drinks. Refrain from any alcoholic beverages or other drugs. Everyone in the vehicle should buckle up before starting the car. Take keys away from those who have been drinking, even if they make a fuss in the moment, they’ll thank you later.
- Prepare for a safe huddle: If you’re attending a gathering, make a plan to get home safely. You know the rules, it’s illegal to drive drunk. Plan for a sober ride home and make sure your ride home remains sober or call a different ride.
- Party hosts: Be sure all guests have a sober ride home and ask them to designate a person in advance. Encourage drinking guests to pace themselves, eat food, and drink plenty of water. Serve a selection of nonalcoholic drinks. Do not serve alcohol to minors. If an underage person drinks and drives, the person who provided the alcohol may be liable for any damage, injury, or death caused by the underage driver. In fact, you can face jail time if you host a party where alcohol is served to people under the age of 21.
Only one team wins the Super Bowl, but those who drive drunk, may lose money, their reputations, their cars, and even their lives. Everyone should know by now that it is illegal to drive impaired. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 2021 there were 10,789 alcohol-related crashes, 362 of which were fatal. For Super Bowl LVI, be a team player and remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.