(Undated)– Public safety officials say YOU could be the MVP of this year’s big game. Kevin Krull of the Iowa State Patrol says in this case the MVP is even more important than the one who is actually on the playing field…
“We’re looking to recruit some MVP’s out there, and those MVP’s are going to be the designated driver. This has been a huge event over the years and unfortunately it’s also a huge party. With that party comes the drinking of alcohol and the impairment that goes with it, so we’re asking those individuals to plan ahead and get that designated driver and make them the hero of the day.”
Krull says drunk driving statistics speak for themselves…
“When you look back over the past five years, when you look back at that, eight people either died or were seriously injured each week in Iowa involving a crash with an impaired driver. And when we look at it nationally, 37 people die in drunk driving crashes each and every day. So we need to bring those numbers down and we’re looking at those eight people that are seriously hurt or die, you know, and last year was a record number of fatalities for us in the state of Iowa, so we’re looking to get that number down. This is one of those ways, and, you know, each and every day we can make the right steps and here in northwest Iowa we’ve made some good strides but we can do better.”
Krull offers these tips for whenever you’re going to be partaking in alcoholic beverages…
“I would say let’s plan ahead. You know the old saying, failure to plan is planning to fail, so let’s plan ahead. Let’s get those sober rides and let’s be that good person. If we see somebody that might need a ride, we make sure that they get that ride so that they get home safely and they don’t cause problems for anybody else.”
Authorities say there are other ways to deal with the issue as well, from celebrating without alcohol to celebrating at home, to planning on staying the night at the party, and sleeping there.
(Thanks to Community First Broadcasting station KIWA in Sheldon for contributing to this story)
