Football season is upon us, and for many we’ve been looking forward to it all year. A time for backyard barbeques, college tailgates and Monday nights at the pub in front of a big screen TV, fall is for football. And watching football is synonymous with throwing back a few beers, a fact that Florida law enforcement is all too aware of.
But law enforcement’s concern with game day impaired driving is supported by statistics. A University of Toronto study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that there is a average 41% increase in fatalities during and after Super Bowl Sunday broadcasts over the course of 27 years. While fatigue and inattention may be factors, alcohol is likely the most significant contributing factor to game day driving fatalities.
Similarly, a University of Colorado study in The Quarterly Journal of Economics found a 13% increase in impaired driving arrests associated with college football home games. Most Universities have enacted policies aimed at preventing drunk driving, however policies can only go so far to curb the game day phenomenon.
Some tips for drinking safely on game day:
– If you know you will be drinking, plan in advance. Make arrangements for a designated driver, or plan on calling a cab.
– If drinking outside during the day, be very aware of your bodily cues. Drinking in hot weather can be extremely dangerous, so be sure to drink lots of water and stay hydrated.
– If you plan to host a football viewing party, be sure to provide lots of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for your guests to stagger their alcoholic drinks with.
– Consider setting up a season “designated driver” schedule to distribute responsibility among your friends.
If you are arrested on game day on charges of impaired driving, call the DUI attorneys at Finebloom & Haenel. With years of experience handling cases in Tampa and the surrounding area, our attorneys and staff provide the competent representation and support you need. Call 1-800-FIGHT-IT.
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