Throwing a Super Bowl Party? Make Sure Your Guests Drive Home Safe and Sober

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I.I.I. Offers Tips for Being a Responsible Host

INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE
Contact: Press Offices
New York: 212-346-5500; media@iii.org
Washington, D.C.: 202-833-1580

NEW YORK, January 30, 2007 - If you are planning to throw a Super Bowl Party, remember that a truly great host makes sure guests are able to drive home safe and sober at the end of the evening, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most dangerous days to drive as more impaired drivers are out on the roads. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 51 percent of all traffic fatalities during the 2004 Super Bowl weekend were due to impaired drivers with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of .08 percent and higher. Alcohol was involved in 39 percent of all crash fatalities in 2005.

Young men-ages 21 to 34 years old-are the core audience for major sporting events such as the Super Bowl and are the most likely to drive while impaired, according to NHSTA. They are also the most likely to drive fast and not wear their seat belts.

"Those throwing a party where alcohol is served have both a legal and moral responsibility to make sure that their guests are capable of driving safely," said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I. "You don't want to allow anyone who has been drinking to drive home and possibly kill or injure themselves or others on the road."

Thirty-five states have enacted laws or have case law that hold social hosts liable if they serve liquor to people who subsequently are involved in crashes that result in injury or death, according to the I.I.I.

With the rise of citizen activist groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in the 1990s, society increasingly has very little tolerance for drinking and driving. Existing drunk driving laws have been strengthened and penalties increased.

"Those convicted of drunk driving can also face huge increases in their auto insurance rates, which can more than double," said Salvatore. "Some insurers may also refuse to insure drivers with a history of impaired driving."

With Super Bowl games sometimes lasting for hours, fatigue can also be a problem. In fact, NHTSA reports that there are at least 100,000 crashes and deaths each year because the driver fell asleep at the wheel.

"A tired driver is quite simply not a safe driver," said Salvatore. "And with the roads being more dangerous than usual this Sunday, drivers need to have all their wits about them and be especially cautious."

If you are planning to host a party, the I.I.I. suggests the following:

When entertaining guests be responsible yourself. Limit your own alcohol intake so that you will be able to determine if a guest is able to drive at the end of the night and have the ability to convince them to not get behind the wheel of a car.
Encourage guests to pick a designated driver who will refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages so that he or she can drive other guests home.
Provide plenty of tempting non-alcoholic beverages, and food for guests.
Do not pressure guests to drink or rush to refill their glasses when empty. And, never serve guests who are visibly intoxicated.
Stop serving liquor at least one hour before the party is over and switch to coffee, tea and soft drinks.
If guests drink too much or seem too tired to drive home, call a cab, arrange a ride with a sober guest or insist that they sleep at your home.

For more information on preventing drinking and driving, go to MADD at http://www.MADD.org .

For additional information about insurance, go to the I.I.I. Web site at http://www.iii.org .

The I.I.I. is a nonprofit, communications organization supported by the insurance industry.