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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; As people everywhere are making their Super Bowl party plans, AAA Mid-Atlantic points to one sobering statistic that should be part of all preparations.</p><p>AAA said according to PennDOT data, there were 181 crashes in Pennsylvania during last year&#8217;s Super Bowl.</p><p>Of those crashes, 17 were alcohol-related.</p><p>&#8220;Drinking and driving is not a game &#8212; it&#8217;s a deadly combination and a crime &#8212; both of which are 100 percent preventable,&#8221; said Jana Tidwell, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.</p><p>AAA advises party planners and football fans to designate a sober driver or arrange for alternate transportation options.</p><p>According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities often spike on holidays and popular drinking days like Super Bowl Sunday.</p><p>AAA has these tips for those headed out to watch the big game at a bar or private party:</p><p>&#8226; If you plan to drive, don&#8217;t drink.</p><p>&#8226; If you plan to drink, select a designated driver and give them your car keys. If you don&#8217;t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, or stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.</p><p>&#8226; Buckle up &#8212; it&#8217;s your best defense against other impaired drivers.</p><p>&#8226; Be a responsible host: offer food and non-alcoholic beverages.</p><p>&#8226; Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.</p><p>&#8226; Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.</p><p>&#8226; Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

AAA: Super Sunday a time for friends, family, football — not fatalities