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Officials plead for safe game weekend

By Brian Ferry 4 min read

Different officials are asking for different actions this Super Bowl weekend, but they are geared toward keeping people safe.

There will be some changes in the way people watch the Super Bowl on Sunday.

There will be about 25,000 people in stadium that holds over 65,000.

At home, there should be some changes, too.

On Friday, Pennsylvania Department of Health Senior Adviser Lindsey Mauldin said the state learned from spikes in cases following the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays -- times when people typically get together -- that even small gatherings enable COVID-19 to spread.

"Our Super Bowl parties might have to look different," she said, suggesting that people not gather with others outside of their households.

Warren County DUI Task Force Coordinator and Youngsville Borough Police Chief Todd Mineweaser asks people to be aware that, regardless of who they are with, "impaired is still impaired."

"Super Bowl Sunday may have a different appearance this year due to the pandemic and the lifestyle changes currently in place," according to a PA DUI Association release. "Typical bars, taverns and restaurants won't be packed with patrons watching the big game in a crowded public area but that won't stop fans from watching in private homes and holding family watch parties."

"The change in location… won't change the usual consumption of alcoholic beverages nor will it change the facts; when you're impaired you are unable to operate a motor vehicle safely and put yourself, passengers and other drivers on the road at risk of injury or death," according to the release.

"Super Bowl Weekend is another busy time of the year for law enforcement," Mineweaser said. "Our local agencies have to be vigilant this weekend due to the many parties people will be attending. Too many people become reckless by drinking too much, using drugs and then driving which makes our highways more dangerous to other innocent drivers."

"Although the pandemic has changed the specific venue for many people, Super Bowl parties and celebrations will still take place," Pennsylvania DUI Association Executive Director C. Stephen Erni said. "Our goal at the Pennsylvania DUI Association is to protect families and save lives by educating the motoring public as to the dangers of impaired driving in order to prevent the tragedies that occur far too frequently on Pennsylvania's highways."

He recommended having a plan before going to a party.

¯ Game plan: Have a safe way to get home in place before you attend the party. Alcohol impairs judgment, as well as reaction time. If you're impaired, you're more likely to choose to drive drunk.

¯ Be an MVP: Designate a sober driver; take public transportation, a car service, or a call a sober friend or family member to get home. It's estimated that designated drivers have saved thousands of lives and spared many others from debilitating injury as a result of impaired driving.

¯ Play smart: Walking while impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.

¯ Play safe: Wear your seatbelt. Seatbelts are your best defense against serious injury in a crash.

¯ Know the Rules: It's illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher in Pennsylvania. It is also illegal to drive impaired on illicit drugs or prescription medications (including marijuana)."

"When it comes to driving impaired, law enforcement will be out as always protecting the public by stopping, arresting and prosecuting impaired drivers," according to the release. "Driving is like every other aspect of life. Choices are made and the consequences of those choices impact our lives. Impaired driving is a choice made by a driver that could have expensive, embarrassing and possibly devastating, life altering consequences."

Starting at /week.