Practicing “Super” safety Published Jan. 30, 2012 By Master Sgt. Jeff Walston 307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs Barksdale AFB, La. -- For the first time, in quite a few years, Reservists at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., will not have to rush home from the Unit Training Assembly weekend to enjoy the Super Bowl. Fortunately, for Reserve football enthusiasts, Super Bowl XLVI (46) will be held the weekend before the February UTA. But, for all the excitement of this, the largest sporting event in the world, there is the responsibility for being safe while celebrating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with the cooperation of the National Football League (NFL) and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition, wants to remind everyone who will be drinking while watching the Super Bowl to create a game plan to get home safely. According to the NHTSA, in 2010, 10,228 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood level concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or higher. One way to avoid these causalities is to designate a sober driver to transport those people who have been drinking home safely. Designated drivers should be over 21, with a valid driver's license and promise not to drink alcohol before or during the celebration. For the host of a Super Bowl party, a designated driver helps ensure family and friends do not pay a high price for attending. The penalties involved with drunken driving offenses can be substantial, up to and including having driving privileges revoked, higher insurance rates, and vehicles towed and or repaired, not to mention the legal costs incurred or jail time. More tips and helpful hints can be found at http://www.fansdontletfansdrivedrunk.org/ and http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/superbowl.