Super Bowl Sunday One of Deadliest Drunk Driving Days of the Year

     With DUI Deaths Climbing, National Commission Against Drunk Driving
           Urges Safe and Responsible Driving on Super Bowl Sunday

    WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The National Commission Against Drunk
Driving (NCADD) warned, today, that alcohol-related traffic deaths typically
rise sharply on Super Bowl Sunday, and urged Americans to take extra
precautions to ensure that the day is safe and sober.  Super Bowl Sunday is
one of the single most deadly days on America's roads due to drunk driving.
On the average day, 47 people die in alcohol-related traffic crashes,
accounting for 40 percent of highway deaths.  However, over the past three
Super Bowl Sundays, an average of 64 people were killed in alcohol crashes,
constituting 54 percent of highway deaths that day.  In 2001, 73 people were
killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes on Super Bowl Sunday, accounting for
more than 51 percent of all road deaths that day.
    The NCADD urges Super Bowl fans to use designated drivers and the safe
party tips found on the NCADD website: http://www.ncadd.com  [See "NCADD
Holiday Party Guide"]
    In San Diego, the National Commission Against Drunk Driving (NCADD), has
partnered with AT&T Wireless, Coors Brewing Co., and local groups to offer a
special free "soberRide" cab ride service to would-be drunk drivers during
Superbowl Sunday.  The national soberRide program, which aims to reduce the
high number of alcohol-related traffic incidents and improve the public safety
of local communities nationwide, was introduced in five cities, including San
Diego, in 2002.  "Our soberRide initiative represents a comprehensive,
community-based effort to raise awareness of the dangers of drunk driving and
provide safe alternative transportation to the public."  NCADD and AT&T
Wireless established soberRide programs in Austin, Boston, Denver,
Philadelphia and San Diego on high-risk holidays:  July 4th, Halloween,
Christmas/New Year's Week and St. Patrick's Day.  AT&T Wireless is the
national presenting sponsor and NCADD is the national program coordinator.

    About the NCADD
    The NCADD was originally formed as the Presidential Commission on Drunk
Driving, appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1982.  The NCADD has
continued as a nonprofit dedicated to reducing impaired driving and its tragic
consequences by uniting a broad-based coalition of public and private sector
organizations and concerned individuals who share this common purpose.  For
more information, please visit http://www.ncadd.com .