MADD issues Super Bowl
Sunday alert
Noting that Super Bowl Sunday ranks as one of the deadliest days for alcohol-related traffic crashes, Mothers Against Drunk Driving-Hawaii is urging party-goers to have a designated driver.
MADD-Hawaii spokeswoman Carol McNamee said football fans will be exposed to millions of dollars worth of beer ads, so there is a real need for safe-driving reminders to balance them out.
In addition to reminders, Honolulu police are setting up drunk-driving roadblocks through Monday to deter and catch Super Bowl party-goers who drink too much and then get behind the wheel.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 86 people died in alcohol-related traffic collisions in 2002 nationally on Super Bowl Sunday.
That was 58 percent of all traffic deaths that day -- more than that of New Year's Day or Labor Day.
MADD has its Safe Party Guide online at http://www. madd.org/party, which includes nonalcoholic beverage recipes for designated drivers.
The guide encourages guests to appoint a sober driver before the party begins, not letting guests mix their own drinks, and not allowing drinking guests to drive.
MADD is also encouraging restaurant and bar owners to check IDs, not serve those under the legal drinking age of 21, cut off patrons who are visibly intoxicated, and provide alternative transportation for patrons.
For more information, call 532-6232 or visit www.madd hawaii.org.