Chiesa
said the last time the New York Giants played
in the Super Bowl in 2008, police in New
Jersey arrested 176 drunken drivers, the
second highest total ever in the State of
New Jersey on a Super Bowl Sunday. During
the last five Super Bowls, there has been
only one alcohol-related crash fatality
in New Jersey. That tragedy occurred the
same night the Giants lifted the Lombardi
Trophy in 2008. In 2001, the Giants’
previous Super Bowl appearance, five people
died as a result of alcohol-related crashes.
“As
police patrols have increased on Super Bowl
Sunday, arrests have gone up and, thankfully,
deaths have declined,” said Attorney
General Chiesa. “During the last four
Super Bowls, with stepped-up patrols, there
have not been any deaths due to drunken
drivers on our roadways. Let’s continue
that trend and ensure Sunday is a day remembered
for Super Bowl glory, not tragedy. I urge
fans who drink to have a sober designated
driver to get them home safely.”
Chiesa
noted the effectiveness of the HERO Campaign,
which promotes the use of sober designated
drivers to prevent drunken driving tragedies.
The HERO Campaign was launched by the Elliott
family in August of 2000 in memory of their
son John, who was killed by a drunken driver
at the age of 22.
Attorney
General Chiesa issued a “two minute
warning” to fans.
“My
two minute warning to all those who will
attend a Super Bowl Party is simply this:
Take two minutes to select a designated
driver before the party begins,” Chiesa
said.
State
Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes
said there would be approximately 100 extra
patrols around the state targeting drunk
drivers on Sunday.
"After
the big game is over, there will be two
clear cut groups: Winners and Losers,”
Fuentes said. “The winners will be
those who use designated drivers to get
home, and the losers will just roll the
dice. The MVP of the game will be those
heroes who choose not to drink in order
to get their friends home safely."
Dr.
John J. LoCurto, chief of HackensackUMC
Trauma/Surgical Critical Care and Injury
Prevention Section, recounted the consequences
of drunk driving during his 28 years of
experience as a trauma surgeon.
“Alcohol
related crashes can be classified as the
unrecognized healthcare epidemic that is
killing and crippling members of our society
on a daily basis,” LoCurto said. “This
epidemic is 100 percent curable if common
sense and responsibility are practiced by
everyone. Simply put - don’t drink
and drive. “
Former
New York Giants wide receiver and Super
Bowl XXV champion Stephen Baker, “The
Touchdown Maker”, announced that the
National Football League (NFL) had a record
175,000 fans pledge to be designated drivers
this season. Baker also said the NFL’s
sober driving message “Fans Don’t
Let Fans Drive Drunk” would be displayed
on the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s
Dynamic Message Signs from Friday to Sunday.
Division
of Highway Traffic Safety Acting Director
Gary Poedubicky offered the public some
vital tips on how to enjoy the big game
responsibly:
