Philadelphia Dram Shop Lawyer Warns That Super Bowl Sunday May Also Be The Most Dangerous Sunday For Drunk Driving Accidents
Philadelphia car accident lawyer and dram shop lawyer, Jeffrey Reiff, sends out another plea to his clients and those on the roadways of Pennsylvania to be aware that Super Bowl Sunday has historically been one of the most dangerous days on Pennsylvania highways due to impaired driving caused by driving under the influence. Every year we see a spike of new consultations after Super Bowl Sunday concerning individuals catastrophically injured as a result of an alcohol-related car accident.
According to George C. Geisler Jr., Director of Law Enforcement Services, Pennsylvania DUI Association in Harrisburg, fatalities and alcohol impaired driving crashes nationwide accounted for 32% of all motor vehicle fatalities last year. On Super Bowl Sunday from 12:10 a.m. Sunday to 5:59 a.m. Monday 48% of the fatalities that occurred nationwide on highways were the result of a driver who had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.8 and higher beyond the legal limit. In Pennsylvania, there were 83 impaired driving crashes causing fatalities. Play it safe and don’t drink while driving. Being caught driving drunk beyond the legal limit will result in a costly penalty from law enforcement and could result in a turn over of your driving privileges. Always designate a sober driver who should be on the top of everyone’s Super Bowl driving list.
Reminder that you can be held liable and prosecuted if you serve someone alcohol beyond the legal limit and that person causes an accident injuring others. Some tips to follow:
Make sure all of your guests designate sober drivers in advance or help arrange rides for others.
Serve lots of food and include non-alcoholic beverages at your Super Bowl party.
Stop serving alcohol at the end of the first half of the game and begin serving coffee.
Keep the numbers of local cab companies handy and take the keys away from anyone who is driving while impaired.
Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself, eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
Most importantly, always have a designated driver. It is most important to ask a sober friend for a ride home, or call a cab or stay where you are if you are in a public establishment. If possible, stay in a hotel or sleep it off until you are sober and save others. Beware that the state police has indicated that there will be roving DUI checkpoints and fixed check points on Super Bowl weekend. Chance favors the prepared mind.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving drunk driving or the negligent consumption of alcohol, please feel free to call the Philadelphia dram shop and car accident attorneys at Reiff and Bily. At Reiff and Bily, we are all too familiar with stories of people and families whose members died in accidents involving impaired drivers.
