Who will you be rooting for during The Big Game? We’ll be rooting for you! Whether you’re hosting viewing party or attending one, everyone has an important job to do: Help keep drunk drivers off the road so we can all make it home safely on game night. During The Big Game, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with Checotah Police Department and McIntosh County Coalition for a Healthy Community to remind football fans everywhere that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
This year’s Big Game is on Sunday, February 11, 2024. Get ahead of the game and create your game plan now. If you’re going out to the big game party and you plan to drink alcohol, make sure you plan for a designated driver to get you home safely at the end of the night. If you’re hosting a party, prepare plenty of food and non-alcoholic drink options for your guests, especially for the designated drivers. If you’re a designated driver, be the night’s MVP and keep that commitment front and center.
“The Big Game is a special night each year for our community to come together to celebrate, but we need responsible drivers on our roads,” said Prevention Specialist Scott Welch. “If you are planning to be away from home during The Big Game, make a game plan to ensure you don’t find yourself without a designated driver if you need one. If you’re hosting a party, make sure you take care of your designated drivers. Remind your friends and family: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.”
Everyone should know by now that it is illegal to drive impaired. More than 13,000 people are killed in drunk-driving crashes annually, and nearly one person is killed every 39 minutes. In fact, fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes increased from 14% to 31% in recent years.
More information to keep in mind when you’re making plans: Drunk drivers are often more prevalent at nighttime than during the day. Drunk drivers were involved in fatal crashes 2.8 times more frequently than during the day. And, males are more likely than females to be driving drunk when involved in fatal crashes.
Drunk driving can have a range of consequences, including the possibility of causing a traumatic crash. These crashes could cause you, someone you love, or a total stranger to suffer serious injuries or even death. Help set up your team — your friends, family, and other party-goers — for a night of success.
Host a Winning Party
If you’re hosting a party for this year’s Big Game, prepare plenty of snacks and nonalcoholic drinks for your guests and the designated drivers. Ask your guests to designate their sober drivers in advance. Remind drinking guests that they have a long evening ahead of them, and encourage them to pace themselves, to eat food, and to drink plenty of water.
Another important reminder: Never 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.
Be the DD MVP
If you’re planning to be a designated driver, know that you’re the night’s MVP. Commit to a sober evening. If you are attending a party or are at a bar or restaurant, enjoy the food, the company, and the nonalcoholic drinks. Your positive influence could help keep them on the right track. If someone you know has been drinking and tries to drive, take their keys and help them get home safely. Remember: You’re the night’s quarterback, and others are relying on you.
Have a Game Plan
There are plenty of options to help impaired drivers get home safely, such as designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or rideshare. If you see a drunk driver on the road, do not hesitate to contact Checotah Police Department.
It’s simple: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. If you drive drunk, you lose. Make a commitment today to refrain from drunk driving. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunkdriving.
