NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Titans joined the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association, the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, and other traffic safety partners for a press event at Nissan Stadium to help prevent drunk-driving crashes during Super Bowl weekend.
"To be a winner on Super Bowl Sunday, the game plan is simple," said "Voice of the Titans" Mike Keith. "If you are going to drink, make a plan before the game for a ride home. If you are hosting a party, make sure those who are drinking have a ride. And if you see someone who has been drinking about to drive, take their keys!"
"Our department is committed to reducing the number of impaired-driving fatalities across Tennessee," said Commissioner Jeff Long of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. "However, we cannot accomplish this mission alone. We need public support and voluntary compliance to ensure the safety of our roadways. We encourage everyone to enjoy Super Bowl weekend, but always make sure you have a sober ride home."
Whether you're throwing a Super Bowl party or just attending one, now is the time to strategize the most important part of your game plan for the big game: a shutdown defense that prevents drunk driving. Follow these simple tips for a safe and happy evening.
· Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you've had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride sharing service to get home safely.
· Download the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's SaferRide mobile app, available on GooglePlay for Android devices, and and Apple’s iTunes Store for iOS devices. SaferRide allows users to call a taxi or a predetermined friend, and identifies the user's location so he or she can be picked up.
· Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
"During Super Bowl weekend, you will notice increased enforcement to crack down on drunk driving across Tennessee," said Director Buddy Lewis of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office. "Never drink and drive. Even just a few drinks can impair your ability to operate your vehicle safely. Don't take the risk. Be responsible, plan ahead, and always designate a sober driver."
The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) is a division of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security advocating for traffic safety. The THSO works in tandem with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to implement statewide programs addressing occupant protection, impaired driving, speed enforcement, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and crash data collection and analysis. Programs administered by the THSO are 100 percent federally funded. The THSO's mission is to effectively develop, implement, and evaluate these programs. To learn more, please visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.
