The thrills of the Super Bowl may entice fans to indulge, but the San Diego County Sheriff's Department is taking a stand to maintain safety on the road. With a stern warning for Super Bowl Sunday revelers, the department is set to deploy additional patrols to catch any impaired drivers starting February 11 from 3 p.m., lasting till the morning after at 5 a.m.

In an effort to prevent any game day tragedies, deputies are scheduled to aggressively look for individuals driving under the influence of not only alcohol but also drugs, including prescription medications and marijuana. San Diego County Sheriff's Department announced this game plan amidst alarming statistics: last year, 6,671 arrests were made for impaired driving within the county, with the Sheriff's Department accountable for 1,090. Moreover, historically speaking, Super Bowl Sunday 2023 witnessed 33 people getting nabbed for impaired driving countywide.

"Plan a safe way home before the game begins," the Sheriff's Department cautions. They advise partiers to designate a sober driver, utilize ride-sharing services, or rely on public transportation as alternatives to getting behind the wheel while impaired. The Department also urges the public to immediately call 9-1-1 if they spot an impaired driver on the road.

DUI can cost upwards of $15,000 considering legal fees and court costs. Citizens are encouraged to watch a video on the harsh consequences of impaired driving, which can be accessed via the link provided in their notice. The intensified Super Bowl DUI patrols have been made possible through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds.