From the first game in August through the Super Bowl finale, watching football is a national pastime, especially in Texas where two professional football teams, 38 college teams, and over 1100 high school teams drive Texans “football crazy.” Unfortunately, research shows that the sport of watching the sport is often accompanied by excessive alcohol consumption. Whether at small gatherings in front of the television, occupying a stool at a local sports bar or attending game day tailgate parties, drinking (often to excess) has become an inevitable football watching ritual. The results of game day drinking can be seen in the growing number of post-game traffic accidents and fatalities.
Texas Statistics:
- 45 percent of those who drink at a football watching party in Texas have reported driving home.
- According to TxDOT, 35.6 percent of the total traffic fatalities were caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol in 2010. These figures increase over the weekend and on football game days.
- In 2010, there were 25,045 (alcohol) related crashes in Texas and 1,392 of those occurred on football game days when a Texas team was playing.
These tragic statistics are why TxDOT has launched a public awareness campaign using television and radio ads, digital media, newspaper PSAs and TxDOT’s “Know When to Pass” truck to remind fans that if drinking is in their playbook, they should pass their keys to a sober receiver. The truck, which features a glassed-in living room depicting the typical football watching party as well as over-sized cut-outs of very large, very stern football players demanding your keys, will be visiting football games across the state where fans can be photographed passing off their keys.
TxDOT wants to encourage fans to enjoy the big games, but to be responsible when it comes to game day drinking and Know When to Pass. Always designate a sober driver if you plan on drinking, and if you are impaired, do not drive – call a taxi, use mass transit, contact the community safe ride program, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely or simply stay where you are.
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