Crime & Safety

Tips for a Safe Super Bowl Party

Here are some simple tips, provided by local police, to make sure no one at your Super Bowl party drives under the influence.

If you are hosting a Super Bowl XLVI Party:

  • Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers before kick-off or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
  • Find unique ways to recognize the designated drivers at your party.
  • Give them a great spot to watch the game.
  • Whatever non-alcoholic beverage they are drinking, make sure their glass is always full.
  • Let them have the first pass at the buffet table.
  • Make sure their cars are easy to access when it is time to start driving people home.
  • Serve plenty of food.
  • Offer a variety of non-alcoholic choices like non-alcohol beers, soft drinks, juice and water.
  • Serve one drink at a time and serve measured drinks.
  • Only serve alcohol to guests over 21 years of age.
  • Determine ahead of time when you’ll stop serving alcohol, such as one hour before the end of the party or at the end of the third quarter of the game (just like NFL stadiums) and begin serving coffee and dessert.
  • Add the numbers of local cab companies into your phone so they are just one touch away.
  • Take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from driving while impaired.
  • Be prepared for guests to spend the night if an alternative way home is not available.


If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:

  • Designate your sober driver before the party begins and leave your car keys at home if you plan to drink.
  • Find unique ways to recognize the designated drivers when you are out at a bar or restaurant.
  • Offer to be the designated driver the next time you go out.
  • Cover the cost for parking or even pay for a tank of gas.
  • Whatever non-alcoholic beverage they are drinking, make sure their glass is always full.
  • Pick up the tab for their food and drink.
  • Before you go out, add the numbers for local cab companies in your cell phone so if you find yourself in need of a ride, it is just one touch away.
  • Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
  • Take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from driving while impaired. Remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
  • Always buckle up – it’s your best defense on the road.

One option for those who have had too many to drink is to phone AAA for a free ride home after the game through the organization's "Tipsy Tow" program, which is open to everyone -- AAA member and non-member alike.

Find out what's happening in Mill Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Potential passengers, party hosts, bartenders and restaurant managers can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow home of up to 10 miles by saying "I need a Tipsy Tow."

The free tows will be available from 6 p.m. Super Bowl Sunday through 6 a.m. Monday.

Find out what's happening in Mill Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

--Bay City News Service contributed to this report.


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