This Sunday is Super Bowl LII, and the stakes are high. Will the New England Patriots win their sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy, or will it be snatched away by the Philadelphia Eagles for their first-ever Super Bowl victory? Anything can happen, but one thing is for certain: if you are planning on traveling and consuming alcoholic beverages, you should have a designated driver.

The Vallejo Police Department is one of many police departments deploying additional officers this Sunday for DUI Saturation Patrols with the goal of stopping and arresting drivers who exhibit signs of not just alcohol impairment but also drug impairment during and after the big game. In the wake of recreational cannabis becoming legal in California on Jan. 1, the VPD has expressed support for the Office of Traffic Safety’s “DUI Doesn’t Mean Just Booze” campaign. Whether the drug is legally prescribed, marijuana or an illegal drug, driving under the influence is illegal and can be dangerous for drivers, passengers or other vehicles.

“Be sure to have a game plan for the night so friends and family know who the designated driver is,” Vallejo Police Chief Andrew Bidou said in a statement. “We want to encourage folks to turn over their keys to a sober driver before the game begins. Impaired driving can result in serious crashes, injuries or death. If you don’t have an ‘MVP’ to make sure folks get home safely, consider other ride options.”

Drivers are considered impaired if they have a blood alcohol content at .08 or higher, although even small amounts of alcohol can impair judgment, according to the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NTHSA). In 2016, there were 10,497 recorded fatalities in motor vehicle crashes involving drunken drivers nationwide and 1,059 DUI deaths with a .08 blood alcohol content or higher in California, according to NTHSA.

For those who are unable to secure a friend to drive them home, the Office of Traffic Safety has a DDVIP application available as a free download on Apple and Android devices. The app allows users to search bars and restaurants in California taking part and even be able to get a ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb drivers.

Kickoff for the game begins at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4 on NBC, which is Channel 11 in the Bay Area. No matter who you are rooting for, the Benicia Herald would like to remind everyone to please enjoy the game responsibly.

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