Somerset County Police: Drive Sober on Super Bowl Sunday

Somerset County’s law enforcement authorities are urging football fans to choose sides now: drinking OR driving. Local officials are working together with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to urge all Super Bowl fans designate a sober driver to get home safely.

“Drunk driving is completely preventable,” Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano said. “All it takes is a little planning. We want fans to remember that it’s a choice. Drink or drive—but never do both.”

Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano states that the Somerset Sheriff’s DWI Enforcement Team will be roving the roads of Somerset County.

“For those who plan to drink, leave your keys at home,” Chief William Parenti, President of the Somerset County Association of Chiefs of Police stated. “Designate a sober driver, whether it’s a friend, relative, taxi, or public transportation.”

“For those who plan to drive, refrain from any alcohol. Instead, enjoy the game with food and non-alcoholic drinks,” Parenti added. “Being a sober, designated driver is a key role on Super Bowl Sunday. You might just save a life.”

>>More on Patch: Police Seize Guns, $1,900 In Narcotics From Somerset County Man

NHTSA’s Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk campaign encourages people to make plans ahead of time that will prevent them from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking, Soriano explained. Whether you call it “buzzed or drunk” driving, driving while impaired could result in injury or death for you or others on the road.

According to data from NHTSA, in 2012 there were 10,322 people killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in the United States—31 percent of all crash fatalities in the nation. A driver is considered alcohol-impaired with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, the legal limit in all states. This February 1, don’t become a tragic Super Bowl stat.

Local Restaurants Support the Hero Campaign

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office will be working with The Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon/Somerset and EmPower Somerset to promote the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers.

As part of the Somerset Campaign, Big Heads Pub in Hillsborough, Southside Grille & Restaurant in South Bound Brook, Rolf’s Restaurant and Pub in Warren, Uncle Vinnie’s Clam Bar in Raritan, Wasabi and Verve in Somerville and Lexus and BMW car dealerships in Bridgewater have agreed to promote the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers.

Bill Elliott and his wife Muriel started the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers in memory of their son, U.S. Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, who was killed in a collision with a drunk driver in July 2000. While at the U.S. Naval Academy, Ens. Elliott was selected as a Human Education Resource Officer (HERO) to counsel and mentor other members of his company and was named “the outstanding HERO” of his graduating class. Ens. Elliott was killed two months after graduating from the academy.

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