Pottawatomie County officials have provided information from the Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office for staying safe on Super Bowl Sunday.
Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk
“Nationally, people are quarantining and practicing social distancing, but we know festivities will still occur, even on a smaller scale,” said Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office Director Tenille Kimberlin. “If your Super Bowl celebration involves alcohol, plan for a sober ride home. If you’re hosting an intimate gathering of immediate family or close friends, make sure you take care of your designated drivers. Remind your friends and family: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.”
This year’s game day falls on Sunday, Feb. 7. If your night involves alcohol outside your home, plan for a sober ride home. If you host a small gathering, take care of your guests. Here are tips on staying safe on Super Bowl Sunday:
Designated Drivers · Take your role as designated driver seriously — people are relying on you. If you’re attending a small gathering, enjoy the food and non-alcoholic drinks. Refrain from any alcoholic beverages or drugs. · Boast about your MVP status on social media using the hashtag #DesignatedDriver. Your positive influence could help keep other sober drivers on the right track.
· Always buckle your seatbelt and require any passengers to do the same. Don’t start the car until all passengers’ seatbelts are buckled. · If someone you know has been drinking and tries to drive, take their keys and help them get home safely. Even if they make a fuss in the moment, they’ll thank you later.
Prepare for a Safe Huddle · Before you head to a Super Bowl gathering, make a game plan that includes a sober driver — someone who will not drink at all. · Remember that alcohol isn’t the only substance that can keep you from driving safely: Marijuana, like many other drugs, can affect drivers’ ability to react to their surroundings. Driving is a complex task, and marijuana can slow reaction time, affecting your ability to drive safely. · Make sure your designated driver is actually sober. If he or she decides to drink even one alcoholic beverage, call a sober ride. · Don’t let friends drive drunk. If someone has been drinking, help arrange a safe way for them to get home. ·
When you ride home with your sober driver, make sure you — and your driver — wear your seatbelts. It’s your best defense in a crash. · Remember, walking impaired can also be dangerous. Designate a sober friend to walk home with you.
Hosts · Ask your guests to designate their sober drivers in advance. · Encourage your drinking guests to pace themselves, eat food, and drink plenty of water. · Serve a selection of non-alcoholic drinks. · Do not serve alcohol to minors. If an underage person drinks and drives, the person who provided the alcohol can be held liable for any damage, injury, or death caused by the underage driver and face jail time.