VCSO: Celebrate Super Bowl weekend responsibly

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 By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

The Vigo County Sheriff's Office reminds residents to not drink and drive during Super Bowl events this weekend. 

“No matter your favorite team, Super Bowl is a time of increased celebration and fun,” VCSO Chief Deputy John Moats said in a press release.  “However, to celebrate right means to celebrate responsibly. We want to remind motorists during Super Bowl weekend to think before you drink. Not only is your life and those of others on the road worth protecting, but if you drive impaired, chances are you will be pulled over.”

Officials note a decrease in alcohol-related traffic collisions from Super Bowl 2016 weekend and Super Bowl 2015 weekend ---- in fact, according to the press release, there was i a 37 percent decrease in traffic collisions, a 33 percent decrease in alcohol-related collisions, a 70 percent decrease in alcohol-related collisions involving a driver with a BAC of 0.08 or greater  and a 7 percent decrease in resulting injuries.

Efforts are continuing to see additional improvements in reducing drinking and driving locally.  Extra law enforcement officers will patrolling observing for any impaired drivers throughout the weekend.

VCSO, togehter with the Vigo County Traffic Safety Partnership with the Governor’s Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), suggest the following measures to prevent accidents and deaths due to  impaired driving:

• Before the celebration begins, plan a safe way home
• Do not drive impaired
• If you do drink, use a taxi, public transportation, ridesharing service or designate a sober friend or family member, and give them your keys
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride impaired, take their keys and help make arrangements to get them home safely

To learn more about Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, please visit: sheriff.vigocounty.in.gov.
For more information on Indiana’s efforts on impaired driving prevention and enforcement, please visit: http://www.in.gov/cji/2354.htm.