Millions will tune in to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday. But Super Bowl Sunday sees another kind of spike too — in DUI crashes.
On an average day, Florida law enforcement will make about 125 arrests for driving under the influence. On Super Bowl Sunday, that number jumps by more than 20%.
“In the South, where we are, we see significantly higher numbers than other regions,” said attorney Gerardo Briceno with the Bridger Law Group.
Briceno’s team recently crunched the numbers on drunk driving and Super Bowl Sunday. They discovered that 20% spike isn’t spread out throughout the day, but rather concentrated in one specific time period.
“It’s the two-hour window after the game is over where you see an 85% spike in alcohol-related automobile accidents,” Briceno said.
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From the moment the confetti falls, the clock is ticking.
That means even if you didn’t drink or watch the game, you’re still sharing the road with a statistically higher percentage of drivers under the influence.
“The two hours after that, that is when you are at the highest risk, significantly higher risk,” Briceno said. “I’m not talking a little, exponentially higher risk.”
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While law enforcement across the state will be increasing patrols on Sunday, the risk remains elevated as the roads become filled with those who shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
If you think you will have a little too much to drink on Super Bowl Sunday, Mothers Against Drunk Driving is urging you to get a ride home. The group is partnering with UBER, Diageo and the NFL to offer 25% off rides booked in advance. Just use the code “MakeAPlan26″ in your Uber Wallet.
The code is available through Feb. 9.