• Super Bowl Sunday is one of the year's most dangerous days on the nation's roadways due to impaired driving.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 158 people died during the 2004 Super Bowl weekend due to impaired drivers with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of .08% and higher. That means 51 percent of all traffic fatalities that happened on 2004 Super Bowl weekend involved an impaired driver.
• According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, four people were killed in accidents involving an impaired driver in Tennessee during the 2005 Super Bowl weekend. That represents 43 percent of all fatal crashes during that time period. That's up from 22 percent in 2004.
• NHTSA reports that young males, ages 21 to 34, are most likely to be involved in automobile crashes, to drive while impaired and to be among those least likely to wear their safety belts. Research also shows that this same demographic is the core audience for major sporting events such as the Super Bowl.
• In 2004, nearly 13,000 people died in highway crashes involving an impaired driver or motorcycle operator with an illegal BAC level of .08% or higher.
• But alcohol-related crashes-and fatalities-can be prevented. Designating a sober driver before the Super Bowl party begins is just one of several easy steps to remember to help save lives.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tn.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.