IDOT, state police join in warning to Super Bowl partyers

[January 29, 2009]  SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police officials announced details Wednesday about the "You Drink & Drive. You Lose" campaign in an effort to prevent impaired driving around the time of the Super Bowl. They are also reminding fans of the new law that requires a breath alcohol ignition interlock device, or BAIID, to be installed for first-time DUI offenders.

"Impaired driving remains one of the most severe epidemics plaguing our society today," said IDOT Secretary Milton R. Sees. "With the BAIID law in effect and law enforcement out in full force Super Bowl Sunday, we hope to drive the number of crashes involving alcohol to a new low."

"Throughout Super Bowl Sunday, the Illinois State Police will have troopers diligently enforcing driving under the influence and seat belt laws," said Illinois State Police Director Larry G. Trent. "Law enforcement recognizes that the 'big game' can be a time to celebrate with family and friends. If alcohol is a part of the celebration and you decide to drink, we encourage you to designate a sober driver or call a taxi."

IDOT's Division of Traffic Safety is supporting the prevention campaign and the new law by coordinating outreach events on radio stations throughout the state and providing interview opportunities with Division of Traffic Safety staff through Feb. 1. To combat impaired driving, IDOT's Division of Traffic Safety has over $150,000 in grants made available to Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies to conduct stepped-up impaired driving patrols

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Nationally in 2007, fatalities in crashes involving alcohol-impaired driving accounted for 32 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities. Statistics indicate that during Super Bowl Sunday last year (12:01 a.m. Sunday to 5:59 a.m. Monday), 48 percent of the fatalities occurred in crashes where a motorist had a blood-alcohol concentration level of 0.08 or higher.

The Illinois Department of Transportation suggests the following tips for people planning to consume alcohol while watching the Super Bowl:

• Designate a sober driver before the party begins.

• Call a taxi, use mass transit, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.

• Use your community's designated driver program, if established.

• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.

• Spend the night where the activity is being held and sleep it off.

• Always buckle up -- it's your best defense against an impaired driver.

For more information about impaired driving in Illinois, visit www.drivesoberillinois.org.

[Text from Illinois Department of Transportation file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]