KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Local law enforcement is cracking down on drunk driving on one of the biggest days for house parties and alcohol-fueled revelry, especially for football fans gathering to watch Super Bowl LIII.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving urged people to have a plan before going out to watch the big game. The organization said almost half of all deadly traffic accidents on Super Bowl Sunday are alcohol-related.
"It’s discouraging that we continue to have drunk driving be a prevalent issue in our community," Leann Briggs said.
Data compiled by 41 Action News from local municipal police departments show that DUI arrests during the last five years have declined by more than 11 percent, but local law enforcement agencies still planned to have extra patrols of dedicated officers looking for drunk drivers after the Patriots' 13-3 victory.
Fortunately, the people 41 Action News spoke with said they won't drink and drive on the day of the NFL's annual championship.
"You don’t want to hit nobody or ruin nobody else’s life all over some stupid decision to drive drunk," James Brown said.
Kristina Murphy added, "I think that it’s almost inexcusable to not use those resources just because they are at our fingertips. I mean, I don’t see anybody who doesn’t have a cell phone anymore without the options that you can get."
With Uber, Lyft and cabs available for those who may have had a bit too much to drink, Briggs hopes everybody does the right thing on this Super Bowl Sunday.
"We hope that we can create a future of no more victims," she said.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said they will have four additional deputies working eight-hour shifts in different zones tonight along with its normal patrols.
