LIBERTY, January 11, 2016 – The Super Bowl is America’s most watched national sporting event. On Sunday, February 7th, friends and family will gather in homes, bars, and restaurants to celebrate. As Super Bowl Sunday approaches and football fans across the country prepare for the game, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Watch UR BAC program is spreading the message to the public about designating a sober driver on game day, because Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

“Drunk driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning. Hand off your keys so that the Super Bowl watching party stays safe,” said Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent Alexis Cordova. “Motorists can expect Liberty County law enforcement agencies to be out in large numbers and to stop anyone who makes the dangerous decision to drive impaired.” According to the Texas Department of Transportation, during the 2014 football season (Sept. 4, 2014 - Feb. 1, 2015), there were 10,676 alcohol - related traffic crashes in Texas. Those crashes resulted in 492 fatalities – an increase of 7 percent over the previous year. Super Bowl Sunday is a risky day for drunk-driving crashes.

The Watch UR BAC program advises that if you’re attending a Super Bowl party or watching the game at a sports bar or restaurant:

• Designate your sober driver, or plan another way to get home safely before the party begins.
• If you don’t have a designated driver, then ask a sober friend for a ride home; or call a cab, friend, or relative to come and get you. If you are at a friend’s house, stay the night.
• Never let friends drive if they have had too much to drink.

If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party:

· Make sure all your guests have a non-drinking driver to take them home, or arrange for alternate transportation to see that they get home safely.

· Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks at the party.

· Host your party just like they do at the stadium. Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game, and begin serving coffee and dessert.

· Take the keys away from anyone who has had too much to drink.

· Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash.