New York State Police will join other law enforcement agencies, across the state, in a special effort to crackdown on impaired and distracted driving during Super Bowl Weekend. The statewide STOP-DWI and Texting-While-Driving Crackdown efforts will start on January 31st and will run through February 3rd. The New York State Police will be collaborating with County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state in this coordinated effort to reduce the number of alcohol related and distracted driving injuries and deaths.
While STOP-DWI and distracted driving efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol, drug and texting-while-driving related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by impaired and/or distracted drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown and the “It Can Wait” texting-while-driving campaigns aim to raise awareness about and reduce drunk or distracted driving.
Whether attending the game, watching at a bar or hosting a party, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, TEAM Coalition, the NFL and the New York State Police remind everyone that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
The NHTSA offers these safety tips:
If you’re attending a Super Bowl party or watching the game at a sports bar or restaurant:
· Designate your sober driver, or plan another way to get home safely before the party begins.
· If you don’t have a designated driver, then ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or just stay for the night.
· Use your area wide local community’s sober ride program.
· Never let friends drive if they have had too much to drink.
If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party:
· Make sure all your guests designate a sober driver in advance, or arrange for alternate transportation to ensure they get home safely.
· Serve food and include non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
· Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.
· Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who has had too much to drink.
Seat belts are the best defense against a drunk driver in a crash.