It’s here – Super Bowl 52 is less than a month away! And if you’re planning to watch the game this year, you’ve already been checking out all your options. Whether you are attending a Super Bowl party, streaming online, or meeting friends at a bar, one thing seems pretty much universal when it comes to watching the Super Bowl: drinking alcohol. Men’s Fitness estimates that Americans consume more than 325.5 million gallons of beer on Super Bowl Sunday. Wherever football fans gather and drink beer or other alcoholic beverages, there is the real risk of an intoxicated driver getting behind the wheel.
Super Bowl Sunday is a busy day for Las Vegas Metro police. One safe bet is that police will be out in force looking for drunk drivers. They often set up DUI checkpoints on Super Bowl Sunday at intersections that have a high number of drunk driving accidents.
Here are a few tips for avoiding a Super Bowl DUI.
Have a Plan
Most DUI’s are the result of making bad decisions. An impaired person makes a decision to drink and then get behind the wheel. Once you start drinking, your judgment and reasoning ability become impaired. Before the drinking begins, plan ahead to have a designated sober driver. The designated driver does not consume any alcohol and delivers every home safely. If you have a solid plan for your Super Bowl viewing, how you will get to the party, and how you will return home safely, all you have to do is stick to it. The plan could save your life or someone else’s.
Use a Taxi or Rideshare Service
With Lyft and Uber transportation services both operating in Las Vegas, there is no excuse for driving yourself to a party or bar during Super Bowl weekend. If you are going out to watch the game, take a rideshare or taxi. Either is far less expensive than a DUI. Make sure you know all the tricks to using Lyft and Uber in Las Vegas.
Make Food Part of the Plan
Make sure you don’t drink on an empty stomach. Drinking before you eat can lead to more rapid alcohol absorption. In short, you’ll get drunk faster. Having food in your stomach does not mean that you won’t get drunk. It may just help you avoid drinking as much. The goal should always be to drink responsibly. Alcohol should be part of the party – not the entire party.
Have an Emergency Plan and Decide in Advance Where You’ll Spend the Night
Most people are arrested and charged with DUI after the Super Bowl party. If you are planning to go to a friend’s house to watch the Super Bowl, discuss your plan ahead of time. Will you be returning home after the party or crashing at their place? Focus on preventing DUI’s after the Super Bowl.
If you are going to be around people you do not know well, you should have a good exit plan in case you have too much to drink and need to get home. If you have a close friend or family member who does not drink or who plans to be sober, you might also reach out to that person and see if he or she would mind being part of your emergency plan.
A good emergency plan can help you avoid Super Bowl DUI’s. When you are drunk and in a place with people you don’t know, you may make poor decisions. Having that emergency plan can also offer personal protection by giving you a safe exit.
What if You Get a DUI Over Super Bowl Weekend?
If you get a DUI, one of your first steps should be calling a Las Vegas DUI lawyer who can take action to protect your rights. Whether you’re a local or you’ve come to town just for a special occasion, Nevada DUI laws are strict and carry steep penalties for those who are convicted. Don’t take chances with your driver’s license. Contact us to speak with one of the dedicated DUI lawyers of Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law. If you’ve already been charged, time is of the essence, so don’t delay.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
At Adras & Altig, we believe that every client we work with deserves a fresh start. Our dedicated Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys take the time to get to know you so we can understand the circumstances surrounding your arrest.