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AAA Texas: This Super Bowl Sunday, “Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated.”

Coppell, TX Insurance & Consumer Tips, Transportation and Traffic Safety
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The Super Bowl is set for Sun., Feb. 3, and families all over Texas are planning parties to watch the big game. AAA Texas urges partygoers and party hosts to plan ahead to keep themselves and their guests safe this weekend. 

AAA Texas suggests if you plan to drink, plan not to drive. Drivers should designate a non-drinking sober driver, call for a cab or rideshare, or plan for an overnight stay wherever they go to watch the Super Bowl. Party hosts are reminded to consider designated drivers when stocking up for parties.

 

Don’t Drive Intoxicated

Regardless of who wins the big game, everyone wins by not drinking and driving. AAA Texas encourages you to:

  • Make plans to get home safely. If intending to consume alcohol, make plans to get home safely by selecting a designated driver or ensuring a cab or rideshare service is available from the party location.
  • Consider an overnight stay. If attending a party at a friend’s home, consider asking to stay overnight. If participating in festivities in a downtown or commercial area, look into hotel accommodations within walking distance.
  • Have safe transportation options ready. If hosting a party with alcohol, compile a list of phone numbers including local cab companies to have readily available should guests need a safe way home.
  • Take care of designated drivers and offer alternatives to alcohol. Plan to have non-alcoholic drink options available for designated drivers and others. Serve plenty of food so partygoers do not drink on empty stomachs.

 

Don’t Drive ‘Intexticated’ 

Distracted driving kills an average of nine people and injures 1,000 each day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is the third leading driver-related cause of crash fatalities behind speeding and driving under the influence.* And these numbers likely underestimate the problem because most drivers do not admit to distracting cell phone use after a crash.

According to statistics from Texas Department of Transportation, fatal distracted driving crashes are on the rise in some metropolitan areas.

 

Texas  Distracted Driving Crash Statistics (2017)

County/Area

Fatal Crashes

Fatal Crash Change from 2016

Bexar

45

-27%

Dallas

18

+20%

Harris

21

+61%

Tarrant

22

-4.4%

Travis

19

+11.8%

Statewide Total

403

-3.4%

 

 

Source: TxDOT

As part of its new distracted driving campaign theme, ‘Don’t Drive Intoxicated, Don’t Drive Intexticated’, AAA Texas encourages all motorists to eliminate distracted driving by following these tips:

  • Put it away. Place your mobile device out of sight to prevent temptation.
  • Know where you’re going. If using a navigation system, program the destination before driving.
  • Pull over. If you have to call or text while on the road, pull off the road safely and stop first.
  • Ask passengers for help. If riding with someone, seek their help to navigate, make a call or send a message.
  • Be a good passenger. Speak out if the driver of your vehicle is distracted.
  • Don’t be a distraction.  Avoid calling or texting others when you know they are driving.
  • Everyone should prevent being intexticated. Just as drivers need to pay attention, so do pedestrians and bicyclists. Never call, text or play games while walking or cycling.

 

For more information visit AAA.com/DontDriveDistracted. For the television PSA click here, and for b-roll of the making of the PSA, click here (Password for both: Intexticated). *Source: NHTSA 

AAA works year round to educate motorists about driving practices that will help keep them safe and reduce traffic-related crashes and the injuries that can result.  DUIJusticeLink.aaa.com is an online resource offering impaired driving facts, transportation alternatives and expert advice. 

AAA provides more than 59 million members with automotive, travel, insurance and financial services through its federation of 34 motor clubs and nearly 1,100 branch offices across North America. Since 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for safe mobility. AAA Texas branch offices throughout the state can be found by visiting www.AAA.com. Follow AAA Texas on Twitter: @AAATexas and Facebook: www.facebook.com/AAATexas. Find additional news from AAA Texas in our online newsroom at http://tx-aaa.iprsoftware.com/.

Media Contacts

Daniel Armbruster
Public Affairs (DFW)
512-564-3141
armbruster.daniel@ace.aaa.com

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AAA Texas is a member club affiliated with the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and serves members in the state of Texas (with the exception of Texarkana).