State Police Offer Tips for a Safe Super Bowl Weekend

This weekend, Super Bowl XLV will take place and many people will either host or attend a Super Bowl party or watch at a bar or restaurant. If you are hosting a party where alcohol will be served, the Louisiana State Police would like to offer the following tips:

Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers before kick-off or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers

Find unique ways to recognize the designated drivers at your party

o Give them a great spot to watch the game

o Whatever non-alcoholic beverage they are drinking, make sure their glass is always full

o Let them have the first pass at the buffet table

Make sure their cars are easy to access when it is time to start driving people home

Serve plenty of food

Offer a variety of non-alcoholic choices like soft drinks, juice, and water

Serve one drink at a time and serve measured drinks

Only serve alcohol to guests over 21 years of age

Determine ahead of time when you’ll stop serving alcohol, such as one hour before the end of the party or at the end of the third quarter of the game (just like NFL stadiums) and begin serving coffee and dessert

Take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from driving while impaired

Be prepared for guests to spend the night if an alternative way home is not available

If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:

Designate a sober driver before the party begins and leave your car keys at home if you plan to drink

Find unique ways to recognize designated drivers when you are out at a bar or restaurant

o Offer to be the designated driver the next time you go out

o Cover the cost for parking or even pay for a tank of gas

o Whatever non-alcoholic beverage they are drinking, make sure their glass is always full

o Pick up the tab for their food and drink

Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.

In 2009, sixty-five percent of vehicle occupants who died in crashes in Louisiana were not wearing a seat belt. Wearing a seat belt is your best defense on the road. Buckle up, Louisiana.

And remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.