The Super Bowl is one of America’s most highly anticipated sports events, when family and friends gather in homes, bars and restaurants to celebrate. On Sunday, February 1, 2015 the Fort Myers Police Department will deploy additional officers to patrol City streets as a safety precaution. The saturation patrol is an effort to make the Super Bowl festivities safer by cracking down on impaired driving and improve traffic safety through the following:
- Identify and remove impaired drivers from the roadway
- Reduce the likelihood impaired drivers will operate their vehicles on our roadways
- Heighten awareness
- Educate the public on the dangers of drunk driving
This and other increased patrol operations are scheduled as part of the Fort Myers Police Department’s strategic plan and on-going efforts to make the streets safer by educating the public on traffic safety issues. If you plan to drink alcohol while you watch the Super Bowl, drafting a designated driver this weekend is the right call. Police ask that you take steps to make sure that you and everyone you celebrate with avoids driving under the influence:
- Plan ahead. Always designate a non-drinking driver before any party or celebration begins.
- Take the keys. Do not let a friend drive if they are impaired.
- Be a helpful host. If you’re hosting a party, remind your guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver, always offer alcohol-free beverages, and make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver.
- If you see an impaired driver on the road call police.
According to U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, in 2013 there were 10,076 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.
Lieutenant Victor Medico
Public Information Officer
Fort Myers Police Department
2210 Widman Way
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
(239) 321-7748
vmedico@fmpolice.com