January 31, 2020 |
Car Accident Attorneys,
The Barnes Firm |
Maggie Karnath
Super Bowl Sunday, among the nation’s largest sporting events, is February 2. This year the annual event features the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Each year the Super Bowl is celebrated by football fans everywhere, as friends and families gather to enjoy the game as well as the fun and camaraderie which accompany it. Super Bowl parties pop up everywhere from bars to restaurants, college dorms, and fans’ homes. Wherever you decide to enjoy the game, the Barnes Firm Community wants to encourage you not to drink and drive.
In California alone, nearly a third of all vehicle accidents occur as a result of impaired driving. For Super Bowl Sunday, this translates to potentially one in three impaired drivers on the road following the game. Alcohol, when consumed, impairs judgment, concentration, interpretation, and reaction time for drivers under the influence. In California, not only is overindulgence in alcohol a concern but also marijuana use, which is now available for recreational use. Marijuana use, likewise, decreases driver performance, including attention, as well as increasing the chances of weaving (also known as lane deviation). Given the danger, not mention the expense, of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, here are some tips to keep everyone safe on Super Bowl Sunday whether you are the host or the guest.
Tips for Super Bowl Party Hosts
- Request that all your party guests designate a sober driver or plan to ride share, before the party even begins.
- Serve a variety of delicious food options (protein rich and starchy foods in particular), as well as lots of non-alcoholic beverages including fun football themed mocktails.
- Have a list of phone numbers ready for ride services – Lyft, Uber, local cab companies.
- Stop serving alcohol when the third quarter ends, offering coffee and other beverages, as well as desserts.
- Recognize designated drivers with special seating, the best parking spots, let them go first in line at the Super Bowl buffet, and keep their non-alcoholic drinks flowing.
- Don’t serve alcohol or cannabis to those under the age of 21; it is illegal.
- Take keys if necessary, to make sure your guests make it safely home.
- Offer your guest the option of staying the night. A couch or sleeping bag is better than any accident.
Tips for Super Bowl Party Guests or Restaurant/Bar Patrons
- Designate a sober driver before you head out to the party. Once you arrive at the party, the sober driver gets the car keys.
- Keep a list of ride service telephone numbers in your mobile phone or wallet – Lyft, Uber, cab companies, even if you don’t think you will need a ride home. Local transit can also be an option.
- While at the party, avoid too much alcohol, and try to temper your drinking with food as well as water.
- Never be afraid to call on a friend of family member if you’ve been drinking and need a ride. They’ll be happy to help!
- If you’ve indulged too much in alcohol or cannabis, spend the night if your host is amenable to the idea.
- Don’t let you friends out of your sight if they are too impaired to drive. Fans don’t let fans drive drunk!
- As the designated driver, buckle up when you head home and see that your passengers do too.
- Don’t agree to ride with an impaired driver.
- Don’t consume alcohol or cannabis if you are under 21, even if the host offers it; it is illegal.
- If you see an impaired driver, keep your distance, or better yet, pull over and call 911.
Most importantly, stay safe and enjoy the big game! May the Best Team Win!
Tags :
Safe Driving Tips , Super Bowl , The Barnes Firm
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