Super Bowl Revelers Beware: Officers Are Out Socializing Too

REDWOOD CITY, CA -- Unless you want to be as busted up as the losing team this Super Bowl Sunday, don't drink and drive.

That's the stern message law enforcement spanning from the Peninsula to south Santa Clara County is providing.

The Redwood City Police Department is encouraging all football fans to celebrate Super Bowl LIII responsibly by not driving impaired. A designated driver is the way to go if you feel a little exuberant about the game.

Super Bowl Sunday is almost a holiday, which comes with alcohol consumption that may last from the morning's pre-game into the witching hour when post-game festivities wind down at private parties and hosts try to usher out their guests so all can wake up for work on Monday.

“Have a game plan for the big game by making sure you have a safe way to get home,” Redwood City Police Chief Dan Mulholland said. “Your best defense against impaired driving is to use a designated sober driver.”

In an effort to flag those who choose to drive impaired, Redwood City Police Department will increase patrols Super Bowl, with additional officers to look for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Millions of people will be watching the Super Bowl at parties and bars across the country,” Mulholland said “Don’t put others at risk because you chose to break the law and drive impaired.”

And as a reminder, a DUI may involve more than booze. Drugs, whether under prescription or not, can affect one's judgment behind the wheel.

The chief urge party hosts to provide plenty of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and to monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

Anyone who sees a drunk driver should call 911.

Funding for the expanded Super Bowl Sunday enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

No driving high on the highways

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind motorists to designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service if their plans include alcohol.

“Impaired driving is not only irresponsible, but it can also destroy lives,” CHP Commissioner
Warren Stanley said. “Choosing to get behind the wheel while under the influence can result in
arrest, injury or death. If you drink or use other impairing substances, do not drive.”

According to preliminary data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System detailing last year on Super Bowl Sunday, seven people were killed in alcohol-involved collisions and 134 others were injured on California’s roadways. The same day, there were 352 arrests made by the CHP for driving under the influence. Consequences of a DUI arrest are jail time, the loss of a driver license, higher insurance rates, court fees, car towing and repair, and lost wages from
time off work.

“Have a plan in place before the game,” Commissioner Stanley added. “If you will be
consuming alcoholic beverages or using other substances that may affect your ability to safely
operate a vehicle, make the smart choice to use public transportation, a designated driver, or a
rideshare service to get home.”

The public can help by calling 911 if they suspect an impaired driver. Callers should be
prepared to give the vehicle’s description, location, license plate number, and direction of travel.

To alleviate that issue altogether, AAA will conduct tipsy tows from 6 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday. The auto club will tow the vehicle of an impaired driver for up to 10 miles.

--Image via Shutterstock