The Tustin and Buena Park police departments will be among the agencies nationwide putting extra officers on roads Super Bowl Sunday to deter driving under the influence, announced Lt. Robert Wright and Cpl. Bret Carter respectively.
It’s part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” campaign.
Meanwhile, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is running DUI saturation patrols of its own starting tonight at 7 and continuing until 3 a.m. Saturday in Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills and Aliso Viejo.
Besides going on the offense, law enforcement is passing along tips to football fans so they can defend themselves from becoming a DUI statistic.
If you plan to go somewhere to watch the game and drink, you are strongly advised to leave your keys at home. Designate a sober driver, whether it’s a friend, relative, taxi, ride share or public transportation.
The California Office of Traffic Safety’s new Designated Driver VIP mobile app, which is available for free download on iOS and Android devices, includes a map of participating bars and restaurants that offer incentives like free food and non-alcoholic drinks to designated drivers as well as access to order sober rides from Uber, Lyft or Curb–all from one screen.
Tweet the name of your designated driver during Super Bowl 50, and it will appear on NHTSA’s Wall of Fame.
The local saturation patrols are funded by California Office of Traffic Safety grants, through the NHTSA. Both agencies advise drivers to call 9-1-1 if they suspect someone else is driving drunk or drugged.
