Local law enforcement will be out in force during Super Bowl Weekend. “Maryland’s law enforcement community will be coordinating efforts to conduct DUI saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the weekend to ensure that the roadways are safe for all motorists,” said the organization’s president, and Westminster Police Chief, Jeff Spaulding.
The national effort is lead by TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management), an alliance between the National Football League (NFL), other professional sports leagues, as well as entertainment facilities, concessionaires, and broadcasters including RADD (Recording Artists, Actors and Athletes Against Drunk Driving). TEAM is a coalition united by a shared mission to provide effective training to the public regarding responsible alcohol consumption. For more information visit: StopImpairedDriving.org and TeamCoalition.org.
Super Bowl Sunday has become one of America’s biggest and most entertaining national sporting events, yet it is also one of the year’s most dangerous days on the nation’s roadways, due to impaired driving related traffic crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 50 percent of all traffic fatalities during the Super Bowl weekend last year were caused by impaired drivers with blood alcohol levels of 0.08% and above. Nationally, more than 13,000 people died in impaired driving-related highway crashes during 2006, over 200 of which occurred in Maryland. Every 30 minutes, nearly 50 times a day, someone in America dies in an impaired driving-related crash.
Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is simply not worth the risk because the consequences are serious and real. Impaired driving crashes carry traumatic and financial costs and could result in an arrest, a serious injury or even death. It’s just not worth the risk. You drink and drive. You lose.
“We want to remind everyone this weekend to follow the rules or law enforcement will penalize you for driving impaired. We want everyone to make the right call for the big game.” said Lt. Brian Cedar, Maryland State Police- Leonardtown Barrack.
Police say if you happen to see a suspected impaired driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact you local law enforcement. Dial 911 or #77 on your cell phone.
SUPER BOWL FACT SHEET
MARYLAND CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION
-- Super Bowl Sunday is one of the year's most dangerous days on the nation's roadways due to impaired driving.
-- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 130 people died during the 2006 Super Bowl weekend in crashes involving impaired drivers with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of .08 or higher.
-- NHTSA reports that young males, ages 21 to 34, are most likely to be involved in automobile crashes, to drive while impaired and to be among those least likely to wear their safety belts. Research also shows that this same demographic is the core audience for major sporting events such as the Super Bowl.
-- Alcohol-related crashes-and fatalities-can be prevented. Designating a sober driver before the Super Bowl party begins is just one of several easy steps to remember to help save lives.
-- In 2006, 13,470 people died in highway crashes involving an impaired driver or motorcycle rider with an illegal BAC level of .08% or higher.
-- Alcohol-impaired driving is the most frequently committed violent crime in the U.S.
-- In 2006, there were over 3,200 alcohol-related crashes and 225 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Maryland.
-- On average, over 1.4 million drivers are arrested each year for driving under the influence of alcohol. This is an arrest rate of 1 for every 139 licensed drivers in the United States.
-- Research shows that alcohol-related crashes cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion annually-this includes an estimated $63.2 billion lost in quality of life due to these crashes.
-- An estimated three of every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic crash at some time in their lives.
-- Over half of alcohol-related traffic fatalities involve drivers with a BAC of .15% and above. These drivers are at least 382 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than a non-drinking driver.
-- For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org or www.TeamCoalition.org.
MARYLAND CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION
-- Super Bowl Sunday is one of the year's most dangerous days on the nation's roadways due to impaired driving.
-- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 130 people died during the 2006 Super Bowl weekend in crashes involving impaired drivers with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of .08 or higher.
-- NHTSA reports that young males, ages 21 to 34, are most likely to be involved in automobile crashes, to drive while impaired and to be among those least likely to wear their safety belts. Research also shows that this same demographic is the core audience for major sporting events such as the Super Bowl.
-- Alcohol-related crashes-and fatalities-can be prevented. Designating a sober driver before the Super Bowl party begins is just one of several easy steps to remember to help save lives.
-- In 2006, 13,470 people died in highway crashes involving an impaired driver or motorcycle rider with an illegal BAC level of .08% or higher.
-- Alcohol-impaired driving is the most frequently committed violent crime in the U.S.
-- In 2006, there were over 3,200 alcohol-related crashes and 225 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in Maryland.
-- On average, over 1.4 million drivers are arrested each year for driving under the influence of alcohol. This is an arrest rate of 1 for every 139 licensed drivers in the United States.
-- Research shows that alcohol-related crashes cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion annually-this includes an estimated $63.2 billion lost in quality of life due to these crashes.
-- An estimated three of every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic crash at some time in their lives.
-- Over half of alcohol-related traffic fatalities involve drivers with a BAC of .15% and above. These drivers are at least 382 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than a non-drinking driver.
-- For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org or www.TeamCoalition.org.