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State says real fans dont let fans drive drunk
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ATLANTA—Pundits predict many anxious moments on the field as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers face-off this weekend. Nothing compares with the biggest gridiron match of the year.  But for diehard football fans the Super Bowl XLV title will only seem like a matter of life and death.

However, the trip home from the game could truly turn out to be a life altering experience if you drive drunk or ride with an impaired driver.

That’s because when the game day stats are in, Super Bowl Sunday still holds potential ranking as one of the year’s most dangerous days on the nation’s roadways due to drunk driving.

Crash stats can project victim profiles of the most likely DUI crash fatalities because the game day stats don’t lie. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports show that overall, young males, ages 21-to-34, are most likely to be involved in DUI car crashes. Why? Because that demographic is most likely to drive while impaired and among the least likely to wear safety belts. Incidentally, research also shows this same age group is part of the core audience for major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl.

According to the NHTSA, during Super Bowl XLI weekend, 39 percent of all traffic fatalities during the 2006 Super Bowl weekend involved impaired drivers with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of .08 or higher. On Super Bowl Sunday XLII, the number of traffic fatals involving drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of .08 or higher jumped to 48-percent in 2007.

According to director Harris Blackwood of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, one-of-every-five Georgia crash fatalities is alcohol-related and every alcohol-related death can be prevented.

“Real Super Bowl fans don’t let other fans drive drunk,” said Blackwood. “If your post season game plan includes adult beverages, make sure your designated driver isn’t on the ‘impaired list’. In fact, make designated drivers your guests of honor if you’re throwing the party. Celebrate their decision to protect their friends.”

For more information on impaired driving prevention for Super Bowl Sunday visit www.FansDontLetFansDriveDrunk.org and visit the GOHS Web site at www.gahighwaysafety.org.