Super Bowl LI is almost here and it looks like 2017 might be the year that the Atlanta Falcons finally bring home the title. This is a big weekend for the citizens of Atlanta. After all, our team has not been to the Super Bowl since 1999. Fans of the sport are likely to flock to bars and viewing parties all across the city. But with these crowds comes some serious threat for accidents and injuries.
As you prepare for your own Super Bowl Sunday celebrations, keep these safety tips from the Law Office of Jason R. Schultz in mind.
If You Are Traveling, Be Prepared for Busy, Congested Streets: Whether you are headed to your local bar to watch the big game or driving across town to your friend’s house, be warned that the streets and sidewalks will be more crowded than usual. Worst of all, it is incredibly likely that some of the other drivers on the road will be driving drunk. Keep an eye out for erratic drivers around you.
It is best if you leave home earlier than normal and give yourself extra time to get to your location before the game starts. Mentally prepare yourself for traffic congestion and remember, if you do get temporality stuck in gridlock during the game, stay calm and listen to the kickoff on the radio.
Put Away Distractions While Driving: Distracted driving is a huge problem in the United States. According to Distraction.gov, over 3,100 people were killed in 2014 alone due to distracted driving. So while you are on your way to the local pub or your aunt’s house, keep your cell phone tucked away. Stay focused on the road, other drivers, and even pedestrians around you. There will be plenty of time to check ESPN and Fox Sports on your phone once you have reached your destination.
If You Are Hosting a Watch Party, Be Prepared: There is a lot of work to be done if you are hosting a Super Bowl watch party at your house. You have to make sure there is enough comfortable seating around the television and plenty of food and drinks for your guests. But more importantly, you have to make sure your guests are going to be safe during the party.
One of the biggest potential safety threats during the game will be alcohol. Obviously, a lot of people watching the game will be drinking. This in itself is perfectly normal. But when traveling is involved, we need to take a few safety precautions.
If you are serving alcohol to your guests, make sure you also serve plenty of food, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages as well. Not only will this keep your guest happy, but it will slow down alcohol intake and help keep everyone under the legal limit. You should also stop serving alcohol sometime during the third quarter. Instead, you can offer hot coffee and dessert to your guests.
Most importantly, if you suspect one of your guests is too drunk to drive, take their keys and call them a cab. Remember, you could be held legally liable if one of your guests is involved in a drunk-driving accident if you served them alcohol. Stop these accidents from happening in the first place by being a good host.
Never Get Behind the Wheel After Drinking: After the big game, win or lose, emotions will no doubt be running high. So before the game even starts, make sure you have a designated driver to get you and your family home safely. If necessary, ask to sleep over at your friend or family members home. Worst case scenario, call a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft to get home and come back for your car the next day. The added expense is better than the cost of a drunk driving accident or DUI.
This Sunday, while our boys attempt to make Atlanta history, let’s keep our streets safe and happy by saying no to drunk driving. And if you or a loved one needs legal help after a car accident, contact the Law Office of Jason R. Schultz, PC at 404-474-0804 to set up your free, initial consultation.