Our Boston drunk driving accident attorneys have recently been discussing the impact of football season on drunk driving. We’ve talked about the details regarding our local college teams and their tailgate parties, but we’ve got a whole ‘nother game go worry about — the NFL!
Officials with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have recently joined forces with the National Football League (NFL) to urge fans to join in on the designated driver game. This is one of the most important positions to play during the season. To help to get more fans to use designated drivers, and to get people to volunteer to be a designated driver, officials with MADD will be at many NFL games during the fall season to promote driver safety. This is the third year in a row in which officials have reached out to help to make sure everyone makes it home from these games safely!
Typically, tailgate parties are not legal, but they are overlooked because everyone does it anyway. However, there are a few places that enforce the “No Tailgating Policy”. According to the books, you can tailgate in only two areas here in Massachusetts. They are the Foxboro Stadium and The Tweeter Center (Great Woods). If you try having a tailgate party anywhere else, like the Fleet Center or Worcester Centrum, you run the risk of being arrested for public drinking.
Officials with MADD and with the NFL are also working to prevent the near 6,000 alcohol-related fatalities that happen every year to teenagers. Teenagers can take a stand against underage drinking by taking the pledge through MADD’s Power of You(th) Facebook page. The pledge helps teens to stay away from the booze until they’re 21-years-old. It also asks them to take the pledge to stay out of the vehicle of any driver who has been consuming alcohol. When a teen takes this pledge, they’re automatically entered into a drawing to win official NFL gear from their favorite team!
There were close to 120 people who were killed in drunk driving car accidents in the state of Massachusetts in 2010. In addition to these fatalities, there were close to 3,000 injuries. Officials were able to make arrests of nearly 15,000 intoxicated drivers, too.
The saddest part about these kinds of accidents is that they’re completely preventable. There is never anything or anyone forcing an intoxicated person to get behind the wheel. But there can be someone to stop someone from driving. Be a safe and responsible fan this season and make sure your NFL family makes it home safe!
If you or a loved one has been involved in a drunk driving car accident, call the Law Office of Jeffrey S. Glassman, LLC for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call (617) 777-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Drunk Driving Accident in Canton Leaves Pickup in House, Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog, September 7, 2012
Mass Drunk Driving Enforcement: Dozens Arrested as Authorities Reduce Accident Risks, Boston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Blog, September 5, 2012