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Trenton
– With Super Bowl Sunday just a few
days away, highway traffic safety and law
enforcement officials are reminding motorists
of the life-saving importance of staying
safe and sober on the roadways during this
upcoming weekend.
“No
one should get behind the wheel after drinking
any amount of alcohol,” said Division
of Highway Traffic Safety Acting Director
Gary Poedubicky. “Choosing to drink
and drive can be a devastating, life-changing
decision that will impact not only the rest
of your life, but your friends, family and
co-workers. To avoid a tragedy, have a plan
in place to get home safely after the Super
Bowl, and stick with that plan. Not only
will you protect yourself, you’ll
help ensure the safety of everyone else
sharing the roads with you.”
In
2009, 189 people were killed as a result
of 179 alcohol-related crashes in New Jersey.
That number represents 32 percent of the
584 traffic fatalities reported in the state
for that year. Nationally, 10,839 individuals
were killed in highway crashes involving
drunk driving during the same time period.
"In
football, teams get a second chance if they
make mistakes in the first half, but when
it comes to driving while intoxicated there
are no second chances. If you are caught
driving drunk, you will be arrested,"
said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent
of the State Police. "If alcohol factors
into your plans, designate a non-drinking
driver to get your party home safely,"
he added.
For
individuals planning on attending a Super
Bowl party:
-
Designate a sober driver before the party
begins and give that person your car keys.
Motorists are asked throughout the year
to subscribe to the pledge of the HERO
Campaign: drive sober, be a designated
driver and don’t let your friends
drive drunk. Under the effort, local businesses
and community groups, law enforcement
agencies, and schools work together to
keep drunk drivers off the road. Started
in New Jersey by the Elliott family following
the tragic death of their son, John, in
a head-on collision with a drunk driver,
the campaign has become a national model
for preventing drunk driving.
-
Consider using a taxi cab or car service,
or ask a sober family member or friend
to come and get you, or spend the night
where you are.
-
Report impaired drivers in New Jersey
by dialing #77. You’ll be asked
to provide the location and a brief description
of the vehicle.
-
Buckle-up, everyone, every ride, regardless
of your seating position in the vehicle.
It’s your best defense against an
impaired driver.
- If
you’re intoxicated and traveling
on foot, the safest way to get home is
to take a cab or have a sober friend or
family member drive or escort you to your
doorstep.
For
individuals hosting a Super Bowl Party:
-
Make sure there’s ample food and
non-alcoholic beverages available.
-
Stop serving alcohol at the beginning
of the third quarter of the game. Instead,
offer guests coffee and dessert.
-
Be sure that all guests have designated
their drivers in advance, or help to arrange
ride-sharing with sober drivers.
-
Have the phone number of a local cab company
available, and always take the keys away
from anyone who may be thinking of driving
after drinking.
Additional
information on drunk driving enforcement,
as well as general traffic safety information,
is available on the Division of Highway
Traffic Safety’s web site, at www.njsaferoads.com.
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