Press Release: Make a Game Plan for Super Bowl LIX: Commit to Sober Driving

****  For Immediate Release  ****

Make a Game Plan for Super Bowl LIX: Commit to Sober Driving

February 4, 2025

Fort Collins, Colorado – As football fans across the nation prepare for Super Bowl Sunday, No DUI NoCo reminds everyone in northern Colorado to make safe, sober choices to ensure a fun celebration for all. Super Bowl Sunday has become one of the deadliest days of the year for impaired driving in the U.S., and we encourage you to be part of the solution.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving incidents skyrocket on Super Bowl Sunday. In recent years, nearly 40% of all traffic fatalities on this day were alcohol-related.

In addition to alcohol, impaired driving can also result from other substances, including marijuana and prescription drugs. It is crucial for drivers to understand all forms of impairment. The consequences of driving under the influence of marijuana, alcohol, or other drugs are the same in Colorado.

 “A night of celebration should never end in tragedy,” said Heather Vesgaard, Executive Director of Partners . “We’re calling on everyone in our community to plan ahead and take responsibility for their actions to prevent impaired driving.”

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs not only endangers your life but also the lives of others on the road. No DUI NoCo strongly recommends Coloradoans use the following safety tips.

 

TIPS TO CELEBRATE SAFELY

Be the DD MVP – If you’re planning to be a designated driver, know that you’re the night’s MVP. Commit to staying sober – your friends and loved ones are relying on you to get them home safe.

Use a designated driver – If you plan to drink, make a plan ahead of time for a sober ride home. Even if you’ve only had a few drinks, let someone who hasn’t been drinking take you home. A sober driver is one who does not drink at all, not the one who’s had the least to drink.

Plan a winning party – If you’re hosting a party, offer non-alcoholic drinks and food, and encourage guests to use safe transportation.

Stay the night – If you’re at a friend’s house, consider spending the night rather than driving home.

Call 911 – If you see an impaired driver on the road, safely pull over and call 911.

 

SUPER BOWL IMPAIRED DRIVING STATS

•  About half of all traffic fatalities on Super Bowl Sunday are alcohol-related (NTSB)
• In 2022, there were 20% more traffic deaths on Super Bowl Sunday than the Sundays before or after (NTSB)
• 42% of fatal crashes involved drivers with a BAC over 0.08% (NHTSA)
• The riskiest driving occurs between 6 p.m. (or a half hour before the game starts) and 7 p.m. Fatalities spike again between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. (NHTSA)

ABOUT NO DUI NOCO

No DUI NoCo is working to get the word out about the dangers and consequences of teen impaired driving and offering solutions and tips on how to avoid or curb the effects on the greater community. No DUI NoCo, a coalition and campaign born out of the need to address the problem of impaired driving in northern Colorado, is working to prevent driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances. This project is a joint effort between law enforcement, government agencies, alcohol and cannabis retailers, local nonprofits, and community members, working together to encourage the general public to “Make the Call” to end impaired driving.

 

No DUI NoCo is focusing on prevention efforts – education, tools, and messaging for groups and individuals who tend to risk driving regularly with elevated BACs, and who are involved in a higher number of alcohol-related crashes. Studies have shown that young people, ages 16-24, tend to have the highest number of drivers involved in DUI/DWI crashes with a BAC at or above legal intoxication levels and are the most likely group to drive within 2 hours of consuming cannabis (Colorado Department of Transportation). The goal of the next arm of the No DUI campaign is to reduce the number of DUI/DWI related crashes with this age group at the wheel.

 

No DUI encourages all citizens to remain vigilant and to plan ahead when consuming alcohol. If you are the designated driver, make a commitment to 100% sobriety to keep you, your friends, and your family safe.

 

If you see an impaired driver on the road, please “Make the Call” and contact local law enforcement (911) immediately.

Remember: If you feel different, you drive different.

 

No DUI NoCo Mission:

The No DUI NoCo coalition and campaign was born out of the need to address the problem of impaired driving in our community. The goal is to prevent driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances by increasing community responsibility for safe and responsible driving.

 Our campaign is encouraging the public to “Make the Call” to end impaired driving in our community. Make the Call to get a safe ride home. Make the Call about whether you should get behind the wheel, and Make the Call to report suspected impaired drivers. Driving under the influence IS an emergency – please call 911 if you see someone you suspect is driving impaired.

Partners, who absorbed this project from the former nonprofit Team Wellness & Prevention is the lead agency on this campaign. Partners has engaged a steering committee and named the project NO DUI NOCO.

Contact: Heather Vesgaard, Executive Director – Partners    hvesgaard@poweredbypartners.org