{"id":723,"date":"2019-02-01T16:31:27","date_gmt":"2019-02-01T16:31:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/madd.org\/southwest-florida\/?p=723"},"modified":"2022-05-25T12:37:51","modified_gmt":"2022-05-25T12:37:51","slug":"press-release-superbowl-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madd.org\/southwest-florida\/press-release-superbowl-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"PRESS RELEASE: SUPERBOWL SAFETY"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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#1 on Super Bowl Party Checklist: Designate a Non-drinking Driver<\/h5>\n
Almost Half of Traffic Deaths on Super Bowl Sunday Caused by Drunk Driving; MADD Provides Tips for Safe Celebrations<\/h5>\n

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Super Bowl Sunday continually ranks as one of the most dangerous times of the year for drunk driving deaths. In 2017, 47 percent of all traffic fatalities on Super Bowl Sunday (and the early hours of the following morning) were caused by drunk driving.<\/p>\n

As Super Bowl partygoers make plans for watching the big game on Sunday, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is urging everyone to put choosing a non-drinking, sober driver at the top of their checklist.<\/p>\n

Super Bowl Sunday continually ranks as one of the most dangerous times of the year for drunk driving deaths. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 47 percent of all traffic fatalities on Super Bowl Sunday (and the early hours of the following morning) in 2017 were caused by drunk driving, compared to an average of 29 percent for the year.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWhether you\u2019re lucky enough to watch the game live in Atlanta or with friends or family closer to home, the most important thing you can do is designate your non-drinking driver before you leave home, whether it\u2019s a taxi, a bus, public transportation or Uber,\u201d said MADD National President Helen Witty. \u201cIt\u2019s so simple. If you drink don\u2019t drive. If you drive, don\u2019t drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

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In the lead up to game day, MADD Georgia staff and volunteers will deliver the message to never drink and drive to fans at the Super Bowl Experience this week, and will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMADD is in Atlanta this week and on game day to make sure people remember to plan ahead for their ride to the game and home after the game. My family knows all too well that one person\u2019s decision to drive drunk can change many lives forever,\u201d said Natasha Mitchell, whose 19-year-old son Michael Kennedy was killed by a drunk driver in 2012. \u201cWe want everyone to have fun, but to also have a plan. With all the options that are available for a safe, non-drinking driver, there are no excuses for ever driving drunk.\u201d
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On Super Bowl Sunday in 2017, 61 people were killed by drunk driving \u2014 47 percent of all crashes on that day. Last year, drunk driving tragically claimed the life of Indianapolis Colts player Edwin Jackson and Uber driver Jeffrey Monroe on Interstate 70 in Indiana. Uber driver Blair Edmonds was also killed in a separate crash in Indiana on the same day.<\/p>\n

Drunk driving remains the leading killer on our nation\u2019s roadways, claiming 30 lives every day. In 2017, 10,874 people were killed in drunk driving crashes, a 9 percent increase since 2014, when the number of drunk driving deaths dropped below 10,000. Holidays and special events like the Super Bowl are especially dangerous because of the increase in parties and number of people on the road.<\/p>\n

MADD has joined with Uber to promote safe rides home throughout the year and during high-risk periods. Through the Reasons to Ride campaign, MADD and Uber remind the public that there are absolutely no excuses to drive impaired and endanger others on the roads. For more information, or to take the pledge to designate a non-drinking driver anytime plans include alcohol, visit http:\/\/www.reasonstoride.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

MADD also offers the following tips before heading out to watch the Super Bowl:<\/p>\n