Siskiyou County DUI patrols planned for Super Bowl Sunday

Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk is the message being delivered in advance of Super Bowl Sunday by the California Office of Traffic Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Football League, TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management), and law enforcement in the Avoid the 8 Siskiyou County DUI Task Force.

All have teamed to stress the importance of designating a sober driver for Super Bowl Sunday travel. The Avoid the 8 DUI Task Force announced this week that it will be deploying roving DUI patrols on Sunday, Feb. 3, in several communities throughout the area. The DUI patrols are "in addition to regularly scheduled patrol officers, all looking for the tell-tale signs of an intoxicated driver behind the wheel," according to a press release.

"Drunk driving is always preventable, and driving drunk could result in seriously injuring or killing yourself or someone else," Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey states in the press release. "Motorists can expect Police, Sheriff and CHP to have a visible presence and to stop anyone who makes the dangerous decision to drink and drive."

"We want everyone to make the right decision on Super Bowl Sunday," said Chris Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. "Game planning a sober driver is the best bet possible. It's everyone's call to make this year's Super Bowl Sunday safe."

The Avoid DUI Patrols are funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety. They recommend the following for those attending a Super Bowl party or watching the game at a sports bar or restaurant:

• Designate your sober driver before the party begins.

• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself. Eat plenty of food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.

• If you don't have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or if possible stay where you are for the night and don't drive until you are sober.

• Never let friends drive drunk. Arrange a safe way for them to get home.

• Always buckle up. It's still your best defense against other drunk drivers.

For those hosting a Super Bowl party:

• Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers.

• Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party.

• Host your party just like they do at the stadium. Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game. The fourth quarter is perfect for serving coffee and dessert.

• Keep the phone numbers of local cab companies on hand and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving drunk.

• Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash.

• If an underage person drinks and drives, the parent may be legally liable for any damage, injury or death caused by the underage driver.

• Likewise, parents or other adults who provide alcohol to, or host a party where alcohol is available to, those under age 21 could face jail time.

The Office of Traffic Safety is on the web at: www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOTS and https://twitter.com/OTS_CA and www.youtube.com/user/CaliforniaOTS and www.ots.ca.gov