Football season reminder: Drive sober or get pulled over

PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — As the weather begins to turn and football season starts up, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding fans to stay safe during tailgating.

While tailgating, some fans may enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two. PennDOT reminds all tailgaters to plan ahead for a sober driver if they plan to drink and to not let a friend behind the wheel after drinking or doing drugs.

If fans are hosting a party that involves alcohol, they are responsible for making sure everyone leaves with a sober driver or stays the night. PennDOT also reminds drivers to buckle up while behind the wheel.

Football fans might be used to hearing “Sunday night football” coming from their televisions. In Pennsylvania, out of 3 11 alcohol related crashes in 2021 , 67 occurred on a Sunday. In total, nearly 63% of alcohol-related fatal crashes were the result of a crash on either a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

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Drivers between the ages of 26-30 totaled the highest percentage , 46%, of drunk driver fatalities, with roughly 75% of the drunk drivers being male in 2021. Most alcohol-related crashes occur between 8 p.m. – 4 a.m., with 107 out of the reported 311 happening in that time frame in 2021.

Most importantly, no matter what team you are rooting for this football season, drive sober or get pulled over.

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