Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk This Super Bowl Sunday

 

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Transportation Governor’s Highway Safety Office, Tennessee Titans and Tennessee Department of Safety are once again teaming up to remind Tennessee football fans that real Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk this Super Bowl weekend. 

 

“While we may not be celebrating a Titans’ trip to the Super Bowl, it’s still important to make the right play when it comes to drinking and driving this Super Bowl weekend,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Designating a sober driver is the best way to ensure everyone has a safe Super Bowl.”

 

Thousands of Titans fans stepped up this season to keep roadways safe. Nearly 10,000 Titans fans promised to be the designated driver for friends and family during the 2008 season, making the Titans one of the top five in the NFL for designated driver pledges. Today, the Titans, TDOT’s GHSO and the Department of Safety honored some of those designated drivers with an exclusive tour of LP Field.

 

“Tennessee fans have stepped up to the challenge and helped keep our roadways safe throughout the football year,” said GHSO Director Kendell Poole. “In 2008, Tennessee recorded the lowest number of fatalities since 1963. Let’s keep that momentum going through the post season.”

 

The other top five teams recognized for the large number of designated drivers were the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers, Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens.

 

“We are so proud of the commitment that our fans showed this season not only to the team, but also their commitment to keeping friends and family safe by being a good sport and pledging to be a sober driver,” said Don MacLachlan, Titans Executive Vice President of Administration and Facilities. “Handing your keys to a sober driver or taking a cab will always make you a winner.”

 

“It would be a true victory if no one lost a life on Tennessee roadways this weekend due to the careless actions of a drunk driver,” said Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell. “The message is simple – if you drink, don’t drive. Designate a sober driver so that everyone has a safe Super Bowl.”

 

According to the Department of Safety, Troopers arrested 43 people for driving under the influence during the 2008 Super Bowl weekend. Between Friday, February 1, 2008 and Sunday, February 3 at 11:59 p.m. there were 14 people killed on Tennessee roadways, including four fatalities on Sunday. Five of those deaths (38%) occurred in alcohol related crashes. That’s up significantly from 2007 when there were four fatal crashes, three of which involved alcohol and/or drugs.

 

“We want to have zero alcohol-related fatalities this Super Bowl weekend,” added THP Colonel Mike Walker. “We’ll be on the offensive, looking for impaired drivers who put themselves and other motorists in danger. It’s up to you to be our first line of defense by stopping friends and family from driving drunk and ensuring they get a safe sober ride home.”

 

“We want everyone to make the right call for the Super Bowl by passing their keys to a sober driver,” added Poole. “If you’re hosting a party, make sure your celebration doesn’t end in tragedy. Designate a sober driver and have phone numbers for local taxi services on hand for those who’ve had too much to drink.”

 

For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org or www.TeamCoalition.org.