Safety tips for football fans ahead of Super Bowl

SOUTH BEND, Ind.---People are gearing up for the Super Bowl weekend! And local officials want you to be safe on the roads. That means; no drinking and driving!

The St. Joseph County Traffic Safety Partnership is teaming up with state and local law enforcement to urge football fans to designate a sober driver, get a ride service, or call a cab.

In a news release officials mentioned that in every state it is illegal for anyone to drive with a blood alcohol level .08 or higher. In Indiana, drivers under 21 with a blood alcohol level of .02 or higher could face fines and are subject to get their license suspended.

Officials say prescription drugs could be included under impairment, especially if combined with alcohol.

Lt. Tim Williams of the Mishawaka Police Department says for people to make a game plan.

“Pass your keys after the game,” said Lt. Williams. "Pass it to a sober driver or better yet, be a team player and start the game as a designated driver.”

The release also mentions sober drivers can tweet @NHTSAgov during the Super Bowl broadcast to be featured on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Wall of Fame.

Tips for game day sober driving safety are provided below:

• Designate, or be, a sober driver.
• Use public transportation.
• Call a cab or a ridesharing service.
• Download the SaferRide mobile app on the Android Play Store or the Apple iTunes Store. This app only has three options: call a taxi, call a friend, and identify your location for pickup.
• Celebrate at home or a place where you can stay until sober.
• Throwing a party? Offer non-alcoholic beverages and plenty of food.
• Never provide alcohol to minors.
• Ask young drivers about their plans.
• Friend or family member about to drive? Intercept the keys and make alternate arrangements.
• Report impaired drivers

Impaired driving is three times more common at night than during the day. If you see an impaired driver, turn off the road away from the vehicle and call 911. Signs of impaired driving include:

• Weaving, swerving, drifting, or straddling the center line
• Driving at a very slow speed
• Braking erratically
• Making wide turns
• Stopping without cause
• Responding slowly to traffic signals
• Driving after dark with headlights off
• Almost striking an object or vehicle
• Driving on the wrong side of the road
• Turning abruptly or illegally

For more about alcohol-impaired driving visit https://on.IN.gov/buzzeddriving and about drugged driving visit https://on.in.gov/drivehighDUI.