Avoid a DUI after your party for the big game with these tips

If you can believe it, 2019 is already in full swing, and Super Bowl LIII (53) is less than a month away. You may have plans to attend a party or host one. Whether watching the game at a house or going to a sports bar, there is a heightened risk of you getting arrested for drunk driving on Super Bowl Sunday.

The average blood alcohol content on Super Bowl Sunday is .091. In comparison, the average BAC level is .094 on New Year’s Eve, which is a notorious day for drinking. To put this in perspective, 21 percent of deadly DUI accidents involve motorists with BACs of at least .08 percent. The last thing you want to happen on a fun day is a trip to jail. Here are some simple guidelines to keep you DUI-free after your football party.

Designate a sober driver

Of course, one of the most effective ways to prevent yourself from driving while intoxicated is getting a ride from a trustworthy person. Choose someone you can rely on to refrain from consuming alcohol all day. If possible, play a role in ensuring there are plenty of non-alcoholic beverages to go around for designated drivers.

Use a ridesharing app or taxi

Even if you cannot depend on a friend or acquaintance to provide you with a safe ride home, you have a lot of other options. Download an app like Uber or Lyft, and make sure you have your payment settings ready to go so you can quickly request a ride if necessary. Interestingly, DUI collisions decrease in markets where ridesharing services are available. Additionally, you can always call a cab.

Take advantage of party food

Super Bowl parties are often full of delicious food options. Fill up on some food so you do not drink on an empty stomach. Eat consistently throughout the event so you can slow the absorption of alcohol. Even then, it is best you wait several hours after you finish drinking for all the alcohol to be flushed from your system before getting behind the wheel again. See if you can spend the night and drive home in the morning. Even having a single drink can put you and others in danger if you choose to drive afterward. Being more cautious than necessary is always the best bet when it comes to alcohol and driving.