Super Bowl Sunday Safety: Have a Plan to Get Home Safe

Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most-watched sporting events of the year — and unfortunately, one of the deadliest days on American roads. The combination of alcohol, celebration, and late-night driving makes it a peak moment for drunk driving accidents across the country, including right here in Connecticut.

At BBB Attorneys, we're passionate about keeping our community safe. Before you head out to watch the big game this Sunday, here's what you need to think about — and plan for.

Have a Plan Before You Start Drinking

The most important thing you can do before Super Bowl Sunday is decide how you're getting home before the first drink. Once the game is on, the drinks are flowing, and your team is in a tight spot in the fourth quarter, it's not the right time to figure out your transportation plan.

As the team at BBB Attorneys puts it: "Whether you're going to a friend's house or down to the local sports bar, make sure you have a plan on how you're going to get home if you're drinking. Don't drink and drive. Get home safe after the big game. And the way to do that is to know and think — how am I going to get home after this if I'm drinking tonight? That way you can still enjoy the game, but you can get home safely."

The plan doesn't have to be complicated. It just has to exist before the game kicks off.

Safe Ride Options for Super Bowl Sunday in Connecticut

There are more options than ever to get home safely after a night of celebrating. Before you leave for the game, pick one and commit to it:

• Rideshare apps — Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout Connecticut, including Stratford, Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford. Download the app ahead of time so you're not scrambling at midnight.
• Designate a driver — Choose someone in your group who will stay sober for the night. Rotate the responsibility so the same person isn't always sitting out.
• Stay where you are — If you're at a friend's house, ask about staying the night. If you're at a bar, ask if there's somewhere nearby to crash or arrange for someone sober to pick you up.
• Call a cab — Local taxi services operate throughout Connecticut and can be booked in advance or called on the spot.
• Use public transit — If you're in an area with access to bus or train service, check the schedule before you go so you know your last departure time.

Whatever option you choose, the key is making that decision now — not after you've had a few drinks and your judgment is impaired.

Why This Matters: Drunk Driving on Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday consistently ranks among the highest-risk days of the year for drunk driving fatalities in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-impaired driving crashes spike significantly on and around major sporting events and holidays.

In Connecticut, drunk driving is a serious and persistent problem. Each year, impaired drivers cause crashes that kill and seriously injure innocent people — passengers, pedestrians, and drivers who did everything right. These are preventable tragedies, and every one of them starts with the same decision: getting behind the wheel after drinking.

If you're going out Sunday, you're not just making a choice about your own safety. You're making a choice that affects everyone else on the road.

If You're Hosting a Super Bowl Party

If the game is coming to you, you have a responsibility too. Connecticut's dram shop laws can hold social hosts liable in certain circumstances when a guest who was served alcohol at their home goes on to injure someone in a drunk driving accident. Hosting responsibly means:

• Offering non-alcoholic drink options throughout the evening
• Serving food to slow alcohol absorption
• Stopping service to guests who appear intoxicated
• Encouraging guests to arrange rides before they arrive
• Offering your couch or a spare room to anyone who shouldn't drive
• Never letting an impaired guest get behind the wheel

Being a good host means making sure everyone gets home safely — not just everyone having a good time while they're there.

If You're Injured by a Drunk Driver This Super Bowl Sunday

Despite all the warnings, some people will still make the choice to drink and drive this Sunday. If you or someone you love is injured by an impaired driver, you have legal rights — and BBB Attorneys is here to help you exercise them.

Drunk driving accident cases in Connecticut can involve claims against the at-fault driver, and in some situations, against establishments or hosts who served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person under Connecticut's dram shop statutes. These cases require prompt action to preserve evidence, document the circumstances, and protect your right to full compensation.

If you're hurt, here's what to do:

• Call 911 immediately — Get police to the scene. A police report documenting the driver's impairment is critical evidence.
• Seek medical attention right away — Even if you feel okay, get evaluated. Some serious injuries don't show symptoms immediately.
• Document everything you can — Photos of the scene, vehicle positions, any visible signs of intoxication, and witness contact information.
• Do not speak to the insurance company — Contact a personal injury attorney before giving any statements.
• Call BBB Attorneys — We'll take it from there.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Accidents in Connecticut

Call us anytime for a free, no-obligation consultation. We serve clients throughout Stratford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, and surrounding communities across Connecticut.

Please be safe during the game — and get home safe after it.