This Sunday, millions of Americans will gather to watch players spike footballs — but after the game ends, crash rates are likely to spike as well. That’s the finding of a AAA analysis of UConn’s Crash Data Repository.
Drivers, passengers and party hosts — have a plan for sobriety behind the wheel, AAA Northeast says.
— an announcement from AAA Northeast
Based on Connecticut crash data since 2015, there are 48% more crashes from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. overnight after the big game compared with the same period the weeks before and after the contest. Analysis of federal crash data reveals a similar pattern.
Not only are there more drivers on the road after the game — more of them are impaired.
“Enjoying the game is a time-honored tradition, but fans don’t let fans drive drunk,” said Alec Slatky, managing director of public and government affairs for AAA Northeast.
“All eyes will be on Las Vegas on Sunday, but don’t gamble with your life or others’ — call a cab, take transit, or designate a driver to get you home safely.”
AAA encourages party hosts to be MVPs by offering nonalcoholic beverages and making sure their guests have a plan for a sober ride home before serving them drinks.
AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with 67 offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing more than 6 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance and auto-related services.