super bowl smartly

BRIEFINGPOINTSSuper Bowl XLV

• SuperBowlSundayistheunofficialAmericanholidayforbothfootballfansandcasualobservers.WhiletheGreenBayPackersandPittsburgSteelersprepareforthebiggame,Sailors,MarinesandfamiliesacrosstheFleetpreparetohostorattendgame-watchingparties.It’simportanttoparty smartandnever drink and drive.Three Sailors and Marines have died on Super Bowl Sunday in the last five years.Allin-volvedalcohol.Twowereintoxicatedthemselvesandonewaskilledbyadrunkdriver.

• Therehavealsobeen68 reportable injuriesonthelastfiveSuperBowlSundays.AlargenumberofthesemishapreportsactuallymentionSuperBowlparties,orarePMVmishapsthatoccuredshortlyaftertheconclusionofthegame.

• Partying is not synonymous with drinking,butifalcoholisinvolved,theGovernor’sHighwaySafetyAssociationrecommendsthatpartyhostsensureguestshaveadesig-nateddriver.It’salsoimportanttoserveplentyoffoodandnon-alcoholicdrinks,andtostop serving alcoholattheendofthethirdquarter.Ifanyoneappearsimpaired,takethekeysandofferthemaplacetosleep.Neverservealcoholtoanyoneunder21.Agoodpartyhostwilldrinklightlyornotatall,soheorshecanensurenothinggetsoutofhandandnoonedrivesintoxicated.

• ThosewhoareattendingSuperBowlpartiesorwatchingthegameatabarshoulddesignateadriverwellinadvanceofthegame.ShowyourappreciationfortheDDbypickingupthetabforhisorherfoodandsodasorpayingforatankofgas.

• Programnumberstolocalcabcompaniesoryourcommand’ssaferideprogramintothecellphone,justincase.

• Nomatterwhereyouwatchthegame,avoiddrinkingtoomuchalcoholtoofast.Evenifyoudon’tdrive,overconsumptionincreasestheriskofamishap.Eatplentyoffoodandalternatealcoholwithnon-alcoholicdrinks.

• Neverletashipmateleaveyoursightifyouthinktheyareabouttodriveimpaired.Itmayfeelawkward,butbeingaSailororMarineoftenmeansmakingcourageousdeci-sionsandsteppingintodotherightthing.

• Alwaysbuckleup.Evenifyoudidn’tdrinkordrankresponsiblyduringthegame,theremaybeotherdriverswhoareimpaired.Aproperlyfastenedseatbeltisthebestde-fenseagainstdrunkdrivers.

NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE!

THINK: What are you doing to minimize your risk and maximize your fun during Super Bowl XLV?