BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Philadelphia Eagles fans headed to Arizona for the Super Bowl recently told CBS News they spent $2,500 to $6,000 for tickets to the big game.
Others will stay local to watch the Birds battle the Kansas City Chiefs, but are projected to spend big money on food and drinks for their Super Bowl Sunday celebrations.
But there's one thing state officials hope you won't spend money on Sunday — fines and court costs for a DUI offense.
- Police are stepping up enforcement on area roadways this weekend
- There will be DUI checkpoints and roving patrols throughout the Lehigh Valley
- According to PennDOT, there were 46 DUI crashes statewide last year on Super Bowl Sunday to 6 a.m. the following day, and an additional 348 crashes.
That's because each year, there’s a spike in the number of car crashes immediately following the Super Bowl over what is typical for a Sunday night.
There also are more deaths related to drunken-driving incidents, which are considerably higher on Super Bowl Sunday, officials say.
It’s why the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Lehigh Valley DUI/Highway Safety Task Force say they will step up enforcement this weekend.
That enforcement will include sobriety checkpoints and DUI roving patrols, a news release said.
According to PennDOT data, there were 46 DUI crashes statewide last year on Super Bowl Sunday to 6 a.m. the following day. There also were 348 additional crashes statewide.
A sobriety checkpoint includes a police roadblock in a designated area and officers stopping each vehicle that drives through that location. Drivers who appear to be driving under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled substances will be tested.
Roving patrols include officers watching for motorists who appear to be driving under the influence. There are no roadblocks with roving patrols.
"Safety is PennDOT’s most important priority,” Acting PennDOT Executive Deputy Secretary Melissa Batula said in the release.
“We want Eagles fans to enjoy their festivities this weekend, but we also want responsible drivers on our roads. If your celebration includes alcohol, plan ahead by designating a sober driver or arranging for alternate transportation.”
Penalties for general impairment in Pennsylvania (a 0.08 to 0.099% blood alcohol content) for a first time offender include:
- ungraded misdemeanor
- up to six months probation
- $300 fine
- alcohol highway safety school
- treatment when ordered
“Our highway safety mission includes a zero-tolerance approach"State police Communications Director Lieutenant Adam Reed
Penalties are substantially higher for a higher blood alcohol content, or a DUI conviction with a prior offense, including a 12-month license suspension, five days to six months of jail time and a fine of $300 to $2,500.
“Our highway safety mission includes a zero-tolerance approach with drivers who operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” state police Communications Director Lieutenant Adam Reed said.
“Troopers are trained to identify impaired drivers and remove them from our roadways. Please be responsible this Sunday, as it’s not only a Philly thing, it’s a PA thing.”
