Avoid the 100 DUI Task Force

Avoid the 100 DUI Task Force 

Deploying Saturation Patrols Super Bowl Sunday

The Super Bowl is one of America’s most highly anticipated sporting events gathering friends and family in homes, bars and restaurants to celebrate. As game day approaches and football fans across the country prepare for the game, the National Football League (NFL), the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be joining forces with the Los Angeles County Avoid the 100 DUI Task Force to spread the message about designating a sober driver, because – Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. 

Nationally in 2012, alcohol-impaired-driving crashes took 10,322 lives. Californians witnessed 802 deaths in DUI crashes on their streets and highways. These crashes were 31 percent more likely to occur on weekends than on weekdays. 

“For football fans, Super Bowl Sunday is one of the best days of the year,” said Glendora Police Chief Tim Staab. “Have a great time, but please don’t allow the celebration to result in a drunk driving arrest. Act responsibly, designate a sober driver before the Super Bowl party begins and leave your car keys at home.” 

The Los Angeles County Avoid the 100 Coalition will be deploying special DUI Saturation Patrols in communities around the county. Every regularly scheduled patrol officer working will be watching for the tell-tale signs of impaired driving before, during and after the game. 

Whether watching at a bar or hosting a party, the NFL, the Office of Traffic Safety, NHTSA, and the Los Angeles County Avoid DUI Task Force reminds everyone that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. Before choosing to drink, choose your team’s MVP – a sober designated driver. 

The ‘Avoid’ DUI Task Force offers these additional 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, 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 community’s sober ride program 

§ And remember, your seat belt is your best defense against a drunk driver in a crash 

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 

Never let friends drive if they have had too much to drink. Stay connected with OTS via: http://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOTS, http://twitter.com/#!/OTS_CA , www.ots.ca.gov 

Avoid the 100 DUI Task Force funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that reminds everyone to ‘Report Drunk Drivers! Call 9-1-1.’