Full Notification

The Hamilton County Traffic Safety Partnership, a consortium of law enforcement agencies in Hamilton County including Carmel Police, Cicero Police, Fishers Police, Noblesville Police, Westfield Police, Indiana State Police, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, the Governor’s Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), would like to remind all Indiana motorists to celebrate this year’s Super Bowl responsibly, by driving sober and safe.

“No matter your favorite team, Super Bowl is a time of increased celebration and fun,” said Hamilton County Sheriff Mark Bowen. “However, to celebrate right means to celebrate responsibly. We want to remind motorists during Super Bowl weekend to think before you drink. Not only is your life and those of others on the road worth protecting, but if you drive impaired, chances are you will be pulled over.”

During the 2016 Super Bowl weekend (6:00 p.m. February 5 through 5:59 a.m. February 8), there were 467 traffic collisions in Indiana. Of those, 30 were alcohol-related, with 27 percent involving a driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or greater. In total, there were 13 injuries and 0 deaths as a result of alcohol-related accidents. Over the 2015 Super Bowl Weekend, this is a 37 percent decrease in traffic collisions, a 33 percent decrease in alcohol-related collisions, a 70 percent decrease in alcohol-related collisions involving a driver with a BAC of 0.08 or greater, and a 7 percent decrease in resulting injuries.

“While a decrease in nearly every measurable category is room for celebration, even one collision or one life injured from such a preventable cause as impaired driving, is one too many,” said Council Chair, Todd Meyer. “Sober driving is the only way to drive, so this Super Bowl let’s continue to work together to keep every motorist safe.”

The Hamilton County Traffic Safety Partnership, the Governor’s Council, and ICJI would like to remind motorists that accidents and deaths resulting from impaired driving can be prevented with the following precautions:

• Before the celebration begins, plan a safe way home
• Do not drive impaired
• If you do drink, use a taxi, public transportation, ridesharing service or designate a sober friend or family member, and give them your keys
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride impaired, take their keys and help make arrangements to get them home safely

For more information on Indiana’s efforts on impaired driving prevention and enforcement, please visit: http://www.in.gov/cji/2354.htm. The Hamilton County Traffic Safety Partnership plans extra patrols throughout Super Bowl weekend.