Super Bowl revelers warned

You could be liable if you host a party and a drunken attendee gets in an accident.

GOSHEN — Mahoning County’s Operating a Vehicle Impaired Task Force wants to remind everyone to act responsibly by designating a sober driver if they plan on using alcohol this Super Bowl weekend.

The New England Patriots play the New York Giants at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in Arizona for Super Bowl XLII.

“We want to remind everyone this weekend that real fans don’t let fans drive drunk,” said Tracy Styka, OVI task force coordinator. “If you plan on drinking alcohol while cheering your team on to victory, pass your car keys to a sober, designated driver before the Super Bowl party begins. The Mahoning County OVI Task Force will be out throughout the game and after to stop impaired drivers.”

Super Bowl Sunday is one of the nation’s most dangerous days on the roads due to people driving impaired, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

According to NHTSA, 130 people, representing 39 percent of all traffic fatalities, died during the 2006 Super Bowl weekend in crashes involving impaired drivers with blood-alcohol concentration levels of .08 or higher.

The OVI offers these tips and reminders if you are hosting a Super Bowl party:

URemember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in an impaired-driving crash.

UMake sure all your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.

UServe lots of food — and include lots of nonalcoholic beverages at the party.

UStop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.

UTake the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.

If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at the sports bar or restaurant avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast, Styka added. Pace yourself— eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with nonalcoholic drinks.

You should also designate your sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys, she said.

If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend or family member to come and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you’re sober.

Funding for the extra patrols is available through a grant from U.S. Department of Transportation/NHTSA and Ohio Department of Public Safety and Governor’s Highway Safety Office through the Goshen Township Police Department.