AAA Texas Says Super Bowl Sunday Increases Risk of Alcohol-Related Deaths and Injuries.

News Editors

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 2004

Super Bowl Sunday increases the risk of alcohol-related deaths and injuries, according to an analysis by AAA Texas.

During an eight-year period (1992-1999), alcohol-related crash fatalities and injuries in Texas were up an average of 11 percent on Super Bowl Sunday compared to other non-holiday Sundays in January and February. However, in 2000, the most recent data available, statewide alcohol-related fatalities and injuries on Super Bowl Sunday showed a sharp drop compared to previous years. In 2000, alcohol-related fatalities and injuries were 22 percent lower on Super Bowl Sunday.

The problem of drinking and driving is most evident on Super Bowl Sunday when the game involves a Texas team. When the Dallas Cowboys played in the Super Bowl in 1993, 1994 and 1996, alcohol-related fatalities and injuries increased an average of 29 percent in Texas -- although the Super Bowl took place in a state other than Texas. By comparison, the study shows, when a Texas team was not involved in the Super Bowl such fatalities and injuries were down an average of 12 percent.

"The potential problem of excessive drinking and driving is clearly of great importance this year in Texas," said Rose Rougeau of AAA Texas. "While no Texas team is involved in the Super Bowl, the game is being played in Houston on Feb. 1."

"When you separate the statistics for Houston and Dallas, they reveal starkly different outcomes," added Rougeau. From 1993 - 2000, alcohol-related fatalities and injuries in the Houston area dropped an average of 15 percent, while in the Dallas region there was a huge increase of nearly 33 percent. Much of the increase in the Dallas area is due to significantly higher increases during the years the Dallas Cowboys played in and won the Super Bowl: +24% (1993), +51% (1994) and +183% (1996). For these three years, the drinking while driving problem was 73 percent higher than usual.

The only time Houston has seen a significant increase in alcohol-related fatalities and injuries on Super Bowl Sunday was in 1996 -- that was the last time the Dallas Cowboys played in the Super Bowl. Although it was the only time, the percentage was extraordinarily high -- an increase of 103 percent. "This suggests that the problem of drinking and driving could be a significant problem when the Super Bowl is played in Houston next week," added Rougeau.

AAA Texas hopes this study will help increase awareness of the danger of drinking and driving so that DUI crash numbers will decrease this Super Bowl Sunday and in the future. AAA Texas recommends these tips in an effort to help keep drivers and passengers safe on Super Bowl Sunday.

-- Don't drink and drive.

-- Use a designated driver if attending a Super Bowl party.

-- Call a friend or family member or a taxi for a ride if you've

been drinking.

-- If hosting a Super Bowl party, be responsible. Take car keys

from partygoers as they arrive and do not let them drive

drunk.

-- Serve non-alcoholic drinks and encourage each group to have a

designated driver.

AAA Texas, an affiliate of AAA National, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas members benefit from the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, insurance products and services, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' Web site at www.aaa-texas.com.