Celebrate Responsibly this Super Bowl

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The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and the Evansville Police Department, in partnership with the Governor’s Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), would like to remind all Indiana motorists to celebrate this year’s Super Bowl responsibly by driving sober and safe.

“Family and friends will soon be gathering to root for their favorite team this Super Bowl. With the celebrations come a responsibility to do so safely,” said Sheriff Dave Wedding. “Motorists are reminded this Super Bowl to celebrate responsibility and not to drive after drinking. The life you save may be your own.”

During the 2016 Super Bowl weekend there were 467 traffic collisions in Indiana. Of those, 30 were alcohol-related, with 27 percent involving a driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or greater. In total, there were 13 injuries as a result of alcohol-related accidents. Compared to the 2015 Super Bowl Weekend, this is a 37 percent decrease in traffic collisions, a 33 percent decrease in alcohol-related collisions, a 70 percent decrease in alcohol-related collisions involving a driver with a BAC of 0.08 or greater, and a 7 percent decrease in resulting injuries. In Vanderburgh County, eight (8) intoxicated motorists went to jail over the 2016 Super Bowl weekend, compared with seven (7) in 2015.

“While a decrease in nearly every measurable category is room for celebration, even one collision or one life injured from such a preventable cause as impaired driving, is one too many,” said Council Chair, Todd Meyer. “Sober driving is the only way to drive, so this Super Bowl let’s continue to work together to keep every motorist safe.”

The Evansville-Vanderburgh County Traffic Safety Partnership, the Governor’s Council, and ICJI would like to remind motorists that accidents and deaths resulting from impaired driving can be prevented by taking the following precautions:

  • Before the celebration begins, plan a safe way home
  • If you do drink, use a taxi, public transportation, ridesharing service or designate a sober friend or family member, and give them your keys
  • If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911
  • If you know someone who is about to drive or ride impaired, take their keys and help make arrangements to get them home safely

For more information on Indiana’s efforts on impaired driving prevention and enforcement, please visit: http://www.in.gov/cji/2354.htm.

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