Police: Drive sober this Super Bowl Sunday

WASHINGTON – Super Bowl party planners’ number one priority should be designating a sober driver, says AAA.

Alcohol-related traffic deaths jump Super Bowl Sundays by almost 10 percent. And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration compares the event with New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween.

Four out of every 10 traffic deaths are alcohol-related on Super Bowl Sunday, according to federal data.

And police throughout the metro area plan to step up patrols Sunday to keep drunken drivers off the roads.

Maryland State Police and local departments will increase their presence through the early morning hours Monday.

Drivers should expect DUI checkpoints in Virginia. Stafford, Culpeper, and Fairfax all plan to have extra officers on duty.

Fairfax County police recommend taking the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving drunk.

Follow @JamieForzato and @WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2013 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up