Avoid a Penalty on Super Bowl Sunday: Tips to Celebrate Safely | SafeWise (2024)

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By Katie McEntire

Feb 02, 2024

Avoid a Penalty on Super Bowl Sunday: Tips to Celebrate Safely | SafeWise (9)3 min read

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Avoid a Penalty on Super Bowl Sunday: Tips to Celebrate Safely | SafeWise (10)

Need to Know from SafeWise

  • Alcohol-related traffic fatalities are up to 74% higher on Super Bowl Sunday.
  • 46% of traffic fatalities on Super Bowl Sunday are alcohol-related.
  • Before and after the game are the most dangerous times to be on the road on Super Bowl Sunday.

Avoid a Penalty on Super Bowl Sunday: Tips to Celebrate Safely | SafeWise (11)

Image: FatCamera, IStock

Next Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers face off against the Kansas City Chiefs for Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Nevada. Whether you're hosting a party, flying halfway around the world, or avoiding the event altogether, it's worth noting the risks around drunk and distracted driving on Super Bowl Sunday.

So grab the snacks, put on your team colors, and don't skip the commercials or these tips for surviving Super Bowl Sunday.

Super Bowl Sunday road fatalities

Traffic fatalities see a surge on Super Bowl Sunday. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)) compared data from a 12-hour period (Sunday 6 p.m. to Monday 6 a.m.) on five previous Super Bowl Sundays between 2015 and 2019. These 60 hours saw a total of 244 traffic deaths—a significant increase when compared to the same 12-hour period one week before and one week after a Super Bowl Sunday when traffic deaths stood at 202 and 187, respectively.

While it's challenging to pinpoint the exact reasons for this spike in traffic fatalities on Super Bowl Sundays, alcohol consumption is considered a significant contributing factor. An analysis of NHTSA data shows that 46% of the 244 traffic deaths during the 12-hour period on those five Super Bowl Sundays were alcohol-related.

Comparing these findings to the Sundays one week before and one week after the five targeted Super Bowl Sundays reveals a stark contrast. in comparison to the week before and a staggering 82% higher than the following week.

Planning to drink? Don't get benched

Drunk driving, buzzed driving, distracted driving, it's all on the rise during the big game. Even if you're a safe driver, others around you may not be. If you plan on catching the Super Bowl away from home, play it safe.

  • Assign a designated driver
  • Call a ride share or taxi
  • Take public transit
  • Don't drive distracted or
  • under the influence

With people checking scores and texting friends or family, drinking isn't the only risk. Distracted driving is also a big risk on game night.

Even careful drinking could land you in trouble with different BAC limits across state lines. Remember, DUIs aren't just dangerous. They're expensive. After fines, attorneys fees, bail, court costs, and car insurance increases, you could be out $20,000.

On the visiting team? Watch the clock

Heading to a party or sports bar to catch the game? Be sure to time it right! With kickoff slated for 6:30 EST, drivers under the influence will be most active in the hours before and after the game between 2-6:30 pm EST and 8-10 p.m. EST.

If you can, skip the drive, call a ride-hailing service, or take public transit—taying off the road is the right play. In the event you do encounter a drunk driver on the road, know how to report them.

Home field advantage? Be a good teammate

If you're hosting this year, be a good teammate and serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic options for your guests. If anyone seems like they've had too much, call a ride-hailing service to drive them home or invite them to stay on the couch to sleep it off.

You can also plan for hosting some games or a movie after the game. Providing some distraction from drinks after the game could help your guests stay busy while the alcohol wears off.

Cheesy snacks, yelling at the TV, memorable commercials, and awesome halftime performances, football fan or not, Super Bowl Sunday can be a lot of fun! With a little bit of preparation and smart choices, you can avoid encounters with dangerous drivers and DUIs on the road.

Related articles on SafeWise

  • The Safest and Most Dangerous States for Drivers
  • When Did Drunk Driving Become Illegal?
  • Is it Safe to Use a Hands-free Device to Talk on a Cellphone While Driving?
  • How to Report a Drunk Driver
  • What Are the Legal Limits of Alcohol in Each State?

Avoid a Penalty on Super Bowl Sunday: Tips to Celebrate Safely | SafeWise (12)

Written by

Katie McEntire

As a renter, pet-owner, and woman living alone, Katie McEntire takes safety seriously. She’s tested devices like pet cameras, home security systems, and GPS trackers in her own home and devices in the name of safety. In addition to testing, writing, and reviewing for SafeWise, she also makes videos for the site’s YouTube channel.She’s been featured on publications like TechGuySmartBuy, Forbes, Healthy Moms, and Digital Care. Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She’s held previous writing positions at Overstock.com and Top Ten Reviews.

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Avoid a Penalty on Super Bowl Sunday: Tips to Celebrate Safely | SafeWise (2024)

FAQs

Avoid a Penalty on Super Bowl Sunday: Tips to Celebrate Safely | SafeWise? ›

Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks. Take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from driving while impaired. Remember, Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk.

How can you be safe on Super Bowl Sunday? ›

Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks. Take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from driving while impaired. Remember, Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk.

Has there been a safety in Super Bowl? ›

In the 57 Super Bowls, there have been 9 safeties. Not a ton, but more than what you'll get in a typical sample of 57 games.

Is Super Bowl Sunday a good travel day? ›

Super Bowl Sunday can be one of the most dangerous days on the road. Based on the last five years of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are 54 percent more crashes across the country that result in injuries from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. following the Super Bowl.

How many safeties have been scored in Super Bowl history? ›

There have been nine safeties in the 57 Super Bowls played so far. They aren't common at all in football, but they are actually more common in the Super Bowl than you might expect. So we might be more likely to seen between the Chiefs and the 49ers than you might think.

What do Americans do on Super Bowl Sunday? ›

Over the years the game has grown to become the centerpiece of a daylong celebration called “Super Bowl Sunday.” This unofficial national holiday in the United States is filled with festivities, feasting, and pageantry that extends from the stadium and host city to the homes and other places where football fans and ...

What Super Bowl started with a safety? ›

Super Bowl XLVIII - Wikipedia.

What are the risks of the Super Bowl? ›

With so much money flowing through the event, from ticket sales and merchandise to advertising revenue, there are ample opportunities for hackers to steal sensitive information or launch ransomware attacks targeting event organizers, sponsors, and vendors. State-sponsored cyber attacks are also a concern.

When was the last safety in Super Bowl? ›

Miscommunication by the Denver Broncos causes a botched snap that goes over the head of quarterback Peyton Manning and is recovered by Knowshon Moreno in the end zone for a Seattle Seahawks safety.

What is a safety in football? ›

It is a Safety: if the offense commits a foul in its own end zone or; when an impetus by a team sends the ball behind its own goal line, and the ball is dead in the end zone in its possession or the ball is out of bounds behind the goal line.

Is traffic bad on Super Bowl Sunday? ›

The worst travel times to travel for the Super Bowl

According to INRIX, peak traffic occurred before the game between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and post-game after 10 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday last year. Woody predicted that immediately before and after the game could also be hectic for travelers.

Do people party on Super Bowl Sunday? ›

It is a traditional weekend when family and friends gather together for Super Bowl parties. This has been a tradition for people for many years. However, due to the Coronavirus many people have had to skip their traditional parties.

Who is the favorite for Super Bowl Sunday? ›

The San Francisco 49ers (+550) are the favorite to win Super Bowl LIX based on betting markets, followed by: Kansas City Chiefs (+650) Baltimore Ravens (+900) Detroit Lions (+1200)

What player has lost the most Super Bowls? ›

Most losses: 5
  • Glenn Parker – OL. Bills (XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII) Giants (XXXV)
  • Cornelius Bennett – LB. Bills (XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII) Falcons (XXXIII)
  • Gale Gilbert – QB. Bills (XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII) Chargers (XXIX)

Who is the youngest player to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl? ›

At 21, running back Jamal Lewis became the youngest player to score a touchdown in a Super Bowl. In the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 35, he reached over the pylon in the Baltimore Ravens' 34-7 win over the New York Giants.

Which quarterback has the most Super Bowl stats? ›

Tom Brady's seven Super Bowl wins are the most among any quarterbacks – and all players – in NFL history. Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana are both tied for second all-time among starting quarterbacks with four Super Bowl victories.

What is the safest way to bet on the Super Bowl? ›

We recommend these apps for Super Bowl betting:
  1. FanDuel Sportsbook.
  2. DraftKings Sportsbook.
  3. Bet365 Sportsbook.
  4. BetMGM Sportsbook.
  5. Caesars Sportsbook.
  6. Fanatics Sportsbook.
Feb 11, 2024

What can you carry into the Super Bowl? ›

The NFL is encouraging fans to not bring any type of bag to the game. Those who need the extra storage will need a clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag that doesn't exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag or a small bag — not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches — without a handle.

Can you wear any jersey on Super Bowl Sunday? ›

Do wear a team jersey. But it has to be the jersey of one of the teams playing. You'll look like a poor sport if you wear the jersey of a team that didn't make the big game, and no one likes a poor sport.

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