CLEARFIELD – In an effort to decrease drunk driving on Super Bowl Sunday, PennDOT has asked 540 DUI Checkpoint programs around the state to step up their DUI enforcement efforts.
Locally, Centre and Clearfield county police along with the state police will be conducting roving DUI patrols as the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts take to the field.
“With all the excitement of the Super Bowl, people may not realize just how much they’ve had to drink,” said Cpl. Greg Neeper from Clearfield DUI Task Force. “We urge people to play it safe by designating a sober driver before the game even begins.”
According to PennDOT statistics, there were 44 alcohol-related crashes on Pennsylvania roads during last year’s Super Bowl. Tragically, two people died in those crashes.
Neeper warns that even one drink can be enough to impair judgment on the road — buzzed driving is drunk driving. PennDOT along with Centre and Clearfield counties area local and state police offer these tips to safely enjoy this year’s Super Bowl:
• Plan ahead. Before consuming any alcohol, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys;
• If you are impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member for a safe ride home;
• Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement. To report underage drinking, call 888-UNDER-21;
• Wear your seat belt.
PennDOT invests about $2.8 million annually into DUI enforcement, which includes funding for approximately 540 sobriety checkpoints around the state.