FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 24, 2018

NDDOT REMINDS FANS TO DRIVE SOBER ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

BISMARCK, N.D. – As Super Bowl Sunday approaches in our neighboring Minnesota on February 4, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) wants to remind motorists to always drive sober, designate a sober driver, or don’t get behind the wheel. Nationally, historic data has shown that alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes and driving under the influence increase in the hours following the Super Bowl; so it is critical to plan ahead and make arrangements for a sober ride home. Whether fans are traveling to or from the game, a private party or an establishment, there is no excuse to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Through the new statewide traffic safety initiative, Vision Zero,the goal is to have zero fatalities and zero serious injuries on North Dakota roads,”said Tom Sorel, NDDOT Director. “In 2017, nearly 41 percent of motor vehicle fatalities were alcohol-related in North Dakota. These deaths were 100 percent preventable.”

A driver is considered alcohol-impaired with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, but even a small amount of alcohol can impair judgment and reaction times enough to make driving unsafe.The average blood alcohol content among Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offenders in North Dakota is .17 – more than twice the legal limit of .08.

The NDDOT’s efforts are in conjunction with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA)Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk campaign. This campaign urges all football fans to call the right play on Super Bowl weekend and drive sober or designate a sober driver.

To help fans prep for the big game, the following tips can help fans have fun while keeping safe.

Top 5 Tips If You Plan to Drink:

  1. Make sure your designated driver is actually sober. If they decideto drink unexpectedly, don’t worry about insulting them. Call a cab or ride service, or call someone else who you know hasn’t been drinking.
  2. Download and use NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app. The app helps people connect with a safe ride home by calling a taxi or a friend and by identifying the app user’s location so they can be picked up.
  3. Use AAA’s free Tow-to-Go services by calling (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246. This is available to members and non-members in North Dakota. The AAA tow truck transports the vehicle and driver home within 10 miles.
  4. When you ride home with your sober driver, make sure you—and your driver—wear a seat belt. It’s your best defense in a crash.
  5. If you find yourself unable to get home safely, ask the host if you can stay for the night.

This Super Bowl weekend, be a team player and help keep impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel. Remember: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

Learn more about traffic safety initiatives at visionzero.nd.gov or join the conversation on the Vision Zero NDFacebook or Twitter page.

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