Are you ready for some football? And the tailgate parties?

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 3, 2007 - Football and libations have become a fan favorite and go together pretty much like peas and carrots. At college and professional games, there's the tailgating that begins well before the game, the stadium cups of cheer and the parties afterward, win or lose.

But don't let that fun spill over into your driving time advises WRAP, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program.

According to Kurt Erickson, executive director of WRAP, there are ways to mix the two:

  • As an enthusiastic spectator, you don't want to miss a second of the big game, but leave the rushing to the professionals. Make sure to leave plenty of time to avoid hurrying, which can lead to reckless driving decisions, or worse, auto accidents.
  • Keep in mind that the average attendance for a professional football game is about 67,000 people. Get a head start and leave a few minutes before the end or, wait awhile before making your way out to avoid the jam.
  • Tailgating is a pre-game tradition that can produce a lot of trash. Be careful of tailgating remnants, like glass bottles, that can damage your car. And, play your best defense on the road by keeping away from tipsy tailgaters.
  • If you plan on drinking alcohol at a sporting event, sports bar or party, do so moderately and designate a sober driver or arrange another method of transportation such as a cab, bus, or metro. On certain occasions you may contact SoberRide and ride home for free on behalf of WRAP.
  • Beware of drunk drivers when driving home from a game. Checkpoint Strikeforce is a research-based zero tolerance initiative within the Mid-Atlantic states, designed to catch and arrest drunk drivers via sobriety checkpoints. It is managed by WRAP and enforced by the police.

To commemorate its 25th year fighting drunk driving in the Washington-metropolitan area, WRAP will be holding its Annual Luncheon Meeting and Wrappy awards ceremony on Oct. 19 at the Acela Club located in the Verizon Center. For more information on WRAP and its efforts to remind people of the dangers and consequences of impaired driving, visit www.wrap.org.

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