Community Corner

Be Super Bowl Sunday Safe

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department offers a list of tips to help everyone enjoy Super Bowl Sunday festivities responsibly--mainly don't drink and drive!

Before you serve those barbecue chicken wings and fill the ice chest in time for today's big game, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department urges everyone to do one last thing before the guests arrive on this Super Bowl Sunday.

"You aren't prepared for the Super Bowl until you have a designated driver," the sheriff's department says. 

Part of being a responsible game day party host is making sure each reveler gets home safely if they've been drinking.

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According to the organization Mothers Against Driving (MADD),  65 people were killed in drunk driving related crashes on Super Bowl Sunday and the morning after in 2009--the second highest number of traffic fatalities behind New Year’s Day, the sheriff's department reports.

To help everyone safely celebrate the final day of the NFL postseason, the sheriff's department offers the following tips and reminders to consider when finalizing your plans today:

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If you're hosting a party:

  • Respect 21 – never serve alcohol to someone under the legal drinking age and don’t ask a minor to serve you alcohol.
  • 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 in NFL stadiums) and begin serving coffee and dessert.
  • Serve plenty of food throughout the day.
  • Offer a variety of non-alcoholic choices like soft drinks, juice, and water.
  • Serve one drink at a time and serve measured drinks.
  • Find ways to recognize designated drivers at your party as special guests:
    • Give them a great spot to watch the game; make sure their glass is always full of whatever non-alcoholic drink they're having; let them have first pass at the buffet table; make sure their cars are easy to access when it is time to start driving people home.
  • Be ready to step in and stop serving someone who has had too much.
  • Be prepared for guests to spend the night if an alternative way home is not available.

 

If you’re traveling to a local bar, restaurant or other public venue:

  • Find ways to recognize designated drivers when you are out at a bar or restaurant:
    • Offer to be the designated driver the next time you go out; cover the cost for parking or even paying for a tank of gas; pick up the tab for their food and drink. Say thank you.
  • Add the numbers for local cab companies to your cell phone.
  • Choose your ride home. Please don’t drink and drive!


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