Virginians Reminded to Play it Safe Super Bowl Sunday
RICHMOND – From 12:01 a.m. Friday (Feb. 5, 2010) through noon Saturday (Feb. 6, 2010), Virginia State Police statewide have responded to 3,167 calls for service. Out of those calls for service, 1,323 have been for traffic crashes and an additional 1,216 for disabled vehicles. The seven Virginia State Police Emergency Communications Centers across the Commonwealth have also logged 2,742 calls from the public for information during the past 36 hours.
The majority of traffic crashes continue to be those involving damaged vehicles only. There also have been no additional reported weather-related traffic fatalities since Friday morning’s double fatal crash in Wythe County on Interstate 81.
State Police did investigate a single-vehicle fatality on Interstate 64 at the 236 milepost in York County Saturday. The trooper was called to the scene at 4:18 a.m. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, but weather has been ruled out as a factor. The 41-year-old New Kent County man died at the scene.
Weather Poses Hazards for State Police
Three more Virginia State Police troopers have been injured while on duty within the past 24 hours. Fortunately none of the troopers was seriously injured.
At 9:46 p.m. Friday, a Virginia State Police sergeant was injured when a carport caved in on his patrol vehicle in Fluvanna County. The sergeant and a trooper had taken momentary shelter under a carport at a business in the Town of Palmyra. The trooper had just left the carport and the sergeant was in the process of pulling out when the roof collapsed under the weight of the snow and landed on top of his car. The sergeant was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Two troopers suffered minor injuries after their patrol cars were struck in two separate incidents along Interstate 64 in Henrico County. The first one occurred Saturday at 1:51 a.m. in the westbound lanes of Interstate 64 at the 186 milepost. The second one occurred at 10:32 a.m. on the ramp from Staples Mill Road to eastbound I-64. Both troopers were seated in their vehicles and both were transported to nearby hospitals.
At 12:59 p.m. Saturday, a trooper escaped injury when a vehicle slid out of control and hit his patrol car that was on the shoulder of the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 at the 82 milepost in Henrico County.
With 75 percent of the uniformed Virginia State Police workforce patrolling the Commonwealth, motorists are reminded to be on alert for emergency vehicles and personnel stopped out with crashes and disabled vehicles along the various roadways.
Play it Safe Super Bowl Sunday
As Virginians prepare to cheer on their favored team to victory Sunday during Super Bowl XLIV, they are reminded to also make travel safety a priority, especially with anticipated road and weather conditions.
Residents are still advised to postpone travel plans as roads will still be affected Sunday by the current winter storm. For those who do choose to drive to and from a Super Bowl party, they are reminded to be prepared, give plenty of time to reach one’s destination, and to never drink and drive.
“Drivers need to weigh the risks when deciding if attending a Super Bowl party is really worth a crash or getting stuck,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Our greatest concern is what road conditions will be like following the game as temperatures drop and wet, slushy roadways turn icy.”
“No matter what road and weather conditions may be like Sunday, the most important decision individuals must make is to not drink and drive,” said Colonel Flaherty.
In 2008, fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes nationwide accounted for 32 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities. During the 2009 Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 3, 2009, to 5:59 am Feb. 4, 2009), 49 percent of the fatalities occurred in crashes where a driver or motorcycle rider had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08 or higher.
Nationwide in 2008, over 11,000 people died in highway crashes involving an alcohol impaired driver or motorcycle rider with an illegal BAC level of .08 or higher.
If you are hosting a party:
Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in an impaired-driving crash.
Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.
Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.
If you are attending a party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:
Designate your sober driver before the party begins and leave your car keys at home.
Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
