Every year, millions of people flock to bars, restaurants, and Super Bowl parties to enjoy one of the biggest games of the year, the Super Bowl. For many Americans, it’s an unofficial holiday that calls for celebration, often with plenty of food and alcoholic beverages.
But there’s another annual trend that drastically impacts what happens once the game is over. That is, a spike in drunk driving and alcohol-related crashes right after the game ends.
Super Bowl Sunday Sees an Increase in Alcohol-Related Crashes
Throughout the year, different traffic safety studies have shown a drastic increase in drunk driving accidents during the Super Bowl compared to any other Sunday. A recent study conducted by Bridger Law Group showed that:
- alcohol-related accidents increased by 13%
- total Super Bowl crashes dropped by 2%
- Southern states saw the largest increase in drunk driving accidents.
The data suggests that most of the crashes that happened on Super Bowl Sunday were from impaired driving compared to a regular Sunday.
What Happens Post-Game
According to the study, accident risk isn’t evenly distributed throughout the day. In the hours leading up to the game, crash rates saw a significant decrease, suggesting more people were staying in place and preparing for kickoff.
In fact, the most dangerous period to be on the road is directly after the game, when celebrations wind down and people begin to drive home. Specifically, in the immediate two hours post-game, drunk driving accidents increased by a dramatic 85%. Even two to five hours after the game, the crash rate was still 17% higher than usual.
Unsurprisingly, the number of drunk driving accidents that occur every year also means there is a significant spike in arrests, police enforcement, and DUI convictions on Super Bowl Sunday.
Where You Live Matters
Another interesting finding includes where in the U.S. poses the most risk for alcohol-related crashes. To get a broad picture of national patterns, the study examined crash data among eight states, including California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, and Texas.
Shockingly, the Midwest actually saw a slight decrease compared to other regions. Meanwhile, Southern states saw the largest increase at 21% more drunk driving accidents than a typical Sunday. This suggests that drinking patterns, law enforcement tactics, and transportation patterns vary across different U.S. regions.
Ways to Avoid Risk
A few ways you can prevent accidents after the Super Bowl are:
Celebrate responsibly. by designating a sober driver or planning your mode of transportation home before the game starts. This can include rideshare services, public transit, or a taxi.
Avoid driving right after the game. If you can, wait a couple of hours before driving home once the game ends.
Stay aware on the road. Even if you’re sober, be aware of your surroundings and watch out for erratic driving behavior.
While the Super Bowl doesn’t mean there are more car accidents across the U.S., it does mean the number of drunk driving accidents on the road has spiked significantly. Be cautious post-game and help spread awareness to keep others safe.