AAA urges football fans to plan ahead for a 100% sober ride home from watch parties.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Feb. 3, 2026 – The culmination of the pro football season is always a time of celebration, with many people gathering at sports bars or home watch parties to take in the big game. But championship Sunday is consistently one of the deadliest days for drunk driving in the United States, with approximately 45% of all traffic fatalities on gameday involving alcohol-impaired drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“Drinking and driving is not a game – it’s a deadly combination and a crime,” said Shawn Steward, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Oklahoma. “It can be a very dangerous day on the roads, especially after the game, but with the right pre-game plan and a team effort between football fans, designated drivers and party hosts, we can reduce the incidence and dangers of impaired driving.”
Overall, impaired driving fatalities have risen 33% across America since 2019, and someone is killed or injured in a drunk driving crash every 85 seconds, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). To fight this trend, AAA and MADD have announced a multi-faceted collaboration aimed at reducing impaired driving fatalities by 20% by 2030. AAA and MADD encourage football fans to plan safe rides home this Sunday for the big game during one of the most dangerous times of year on the roads.
Defense Against Drunk Drivers
Drivers will see more law enforcement on the road on game day, with officers on the lookout and with zero tolerance for impaired drivers. The goal is to save lives. Nationally, it is illegal to drive with a breath alcohol content (BAC) of .08 g/dL or higher, except in Utah, where the limit is .05 g/dL.
“Always drive 100% sober,” Steward said. “Alcohol affects each person differently. For some, even one alcoholic beverage could one too many to drive safely. And remember that buzzed driving is drunk driving. Don’t risk it.”
There are a couple more tips for taking a defensive stand against impaired driving:
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement immediately and report the driver’s location.
- If you have a friend who is about to drink and drive, take the keys away and let a sober driver get your friend home safely.
The Steep Costs of Impaired Driving
In addition to the dangerous and possibly deadly effects of impaired driving, the poor decision to get behind the wheel while impaired can negatively impact your life in other ways.
Getting caught drinking and driving can lead to jail time, and that arrest will follow you for many years to come. Impaired driving can cause you to lose your driver’s license and your vehicle. This could prevent you from getting to work, resulting in lost wages and, potentially, job loss.
Additionally, the average DUI costs $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, and more. The financial impact from impaired-driving crashes is devastating: Crashes in which alcohol was the cause resulted in $57 billion in economic costs.
Tips for Celebrating the Big Game Safely
For Designated Drivers
-
Take your role as designated driver seriously — people are relying on you. If you’re attending a party, enjoy the food and non-alcoholic drinks. Refrain from any alcoholic beverages or other drugs.
-
Always buckle your seat belt and require any passengers to do the same. Don’t start the car until all passengers’ seat belts are buckled.
-
If someone you know has been drinking and tries to drive, take their keys and help them get home safely.
For Party Attendees
-
It’s illegal to drive drunk, period. Before you head out to a party, make a game plan that includes a sober driver — someone who will not drink at all, and will safely bring you home. This could be a friend or family member, or you can also arrange a ride share, taxi or, if available, take public transportation.
-
Make sure your designated driver is actually sober. If he or she decides to drink unexpectedly, call a sober ride.
-
When you ride home with your sober driver, make sure you — and your driver — wear your seat belts. It’s your best defense in a crash.
For Party Hosts
-
If you are hosting a party for the game, be sure all your guests have a sober ride home. Ask your guests to designate their sober drivers in advance.
-
Encourage your drinking guests to pace themselves, eat food, and drink plenty of water.
-
Serve a selection of nonalcoholic drinks.
-
Never serve alcohol to minors. It is illegal for someone under the age of 21 to consume alcohol. If an underage person drinks and drives, the person who provided the alcohol can be held liable for any damage, injury, or death caused by the underage driver. In fact, you can face jail time if you host a party where alcohol is served to people under the age of 21.
“Impaired driving crashes, injuries and deaths are completely preventable,” said AAA’s Steward. “With so many options making it easy to avoid driving after drinking, it doesn’t make sense to take a life-endangering chance. Have a plan in advance for a 100% sober ride, so the gameday celebrations don’t turn tragic.”
About AAA
AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 65.2 million members nationwide and more than 450,000 members in Oklahoma. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a non-stock, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, find local gas prices and electric vehicle charging stations, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information on joining or renewing a Membership, visit www.AAA.com.
Get Local News!
