web1_Columnshot-5-.jpg

Beyond the Byline: We need to do more to help the homeless

web1_web1_police-lights20181993941226-1.jpg

WB man allegedly punched pregnant woman in stomach, put loaded gun to her head

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Despite no chance of an Eagles repeat &#8212; maybe next year &#8212; area football fans will surely be celebrating during Sunday&#8217;s Super Bowl.</p><p>But if that celebration includes alcohol, they should designate a sober driver or arrange for alternate transportation, advises AAA Mid-Atlantic.</p><p>According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities often spike on holidays and popular drinking days, such as Super Bowl Sunday.</p><p>AAA says even small amounts of alcohol can impair a driver&#8217;s judgment.</p><p>According to preliminary PennDOT data:</p><p>&#8226; There were 1,161 (up 980 or 541 percent from 2017) crashes in Pennsylvania during last year&#8217;s Super Bowl, resulting in two fatalities.</p><p>&#8226; Of those crashes, 65 (up 48 or 282 percent from 2017) were alcohol-related.</p><p>That alarming spike has been attributed to statewide celebrations due to the Philadelphia Eagles playing in and winning the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.</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. &#8220;Make your winning drive a sober one and designate a driver before you indulge in game day spirits. Don&#8217;t fumble when it comes to safety.&#8221;</p><p>Here are some tips for a safe party as you enjoy the game:</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 by offering 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 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>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_AAA-Mid-Atlantic.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">AAA Mid-Atlantic Logo.jpg</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_AAA-Mid-Atlantic.jpg</photo0><caption0>AAA Mid-Atlantic Logo.jpg</caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<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: If you’re drinking on Super Bowl Sunday, don’t plan on driving