According to Acting Attorney General Paula T. Dow, there is no excuse for an individual to get behind the wheel if they have been drinking alcohol.

“Many people will be attending parties at private residences or going to local bars or restaurants to watch the Super Bowl,” Acting Attorney General Dow said. “If you plan to drink alcohol, make sure you’ve taken the necessary steps before leaving home to ensure a safe return trip. That starts with designating a driver who will not be drinking. By planning ahead, you can protect yourself, your family and other motorists from tragedy on the road.”

According to Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer, a 2009 Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind Poll on driver behaviors in New Jersey, conducted in partnership with the Division, indicated that one in five drivers said they have consumed alcohol and then driven, up 6 percent from the previous year. In addition, one in five drivers believe they can have two drinks and safely drive, while one in 10 say they can have three or more drinks and still be okay to get behind the wheel.

“Despite our gains in combating drunk driving, we still have too many individuals who believe that after a few drinks, they’re safe to drive,” Fischer said. “Approximately 28 percent of all fatal crashes in New Jersey last year involved alcohol, while nationally alcohol was a factor in 32 percent of fatal motor vehicle crashes. Even one drink can alter your judgment and reaction time behind the wheel, putting not only yourself, but everyone on the road, in danger.”

State Police will be teaming with local and county law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce New Jersey’s motor vehicle laws. Particular attention will be paid to enforcing drinking and driving statutes.

“All-star athletes and armchair quarterbacks alike, no one is immune to the dangers of driving while intoxicated," said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

"The most insidious part of intoxication is the slowing down of a person's reactions well before they become obviously drunk. That lag time in reacting to danger can turn a near miss into a medevac ride to the trauma center, or worse-a trip to the morgue," added Colonel Fuentes.

"Injuries from drunk driving are clearly preventable. Some of the worst cases that we see are of those that involve drunk driving. These cases are even more tragic, because they didn't have to happen,” said David Livingston, MD, director, the New Jersey Trauma Center at UMDNJ-University Hospital.

Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Director Jerry Fischer added that under the state’s alcoholic beverage control laws, liquor licensees cannot serve or sell alcohol to any person actually or apparently intoxicated in a licensed premises.

“On Super Bowl Sunday, and throughout the year, liquor licensees must remain cognizant to the amount of alcohol patrons consume,” ABC Director Fischer said. “By remaining vigilant, bars and restaurants can not only ensure responsible service to patrons, but also help in our mutual efforts to prevent drunk driving and the potentially serious consequences that can result from the over-consumption of alcohol.”

According to Diane Weiss, Executive Director of the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association, bar, tavern and restaurant patrons are encouraged to celebrate responsibly on Super Bowl Sunday.

“The association supports the Ensign John R. Elliott HERO campaign, which asks patrons to designate a driver if they plan to drink alcohol,” Weiss said. “We also encourage our members to participate in server training programs that provide them with detailed information on serving patrons in a responsible manner. By doing this, we can ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl Sunday.”

Officials also reminded motorists to be alert for pedestrians, in particular on nights when celebrations are taking place. If an individual has been drinking alcohol, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive him or her to their doorstep.

For individuals planning on attending a Super Bowl party:

• Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys. Motorists are asked throughout the year to subscribe to the pledge of the HERO Campaign: drive sober, be a designated driver and don’t let your friends drive drunk. Under the effort, local businesses and community groups, law enforcement agencies, and schools work together to keep drunk drivers off the road. Started in New Jersey by the Elliott family following the tragic death of their son, John, in a head-on collision with a drunk driver, the campaign has become a national model for preventing drunk driving.
• Consider using a taxi cab or car service, or ask a sober family member or friend to come and get you, or spend the night where you are.
• Report impaired drivers in New Jersey by dialing #77. You’ll be asked to provide the location and a brief description of the vehicle.
• Buckle-up, everyone, every ride.

For individuals hosting a Super Bowl Party:

• Make sure there’s ample food and non-alcoholic beverages available.
• Stop serving alcohol at the beginning of the third quarter of the game. Instead, offer guests coffee and dessert.
• Be sure that all guests have designated their drivers in advance, or help to arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers.
• Have the phone number of a local cab company available, and always take the keys away from anyone who may be thinking of driving after drinking.

Additional information on drunk driving enforcement and pedestrian safety, as well as general traffic safety information, is available on the Division of Highway Traffic Safety’s web site, at www.njsaferoads.com.