WLOX.com - The News for South MississippiPolice have game plan to stop drunk drivers on Superbowl Sunday

Police have game plan to stop drunk drivers on Superbowl Sunday

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By Danielle Thomas - bio | email

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D'IBERVILLE, MS (WLOX) -

Whether you will be rooting for the New England Patriots or the New York Giants on Sunday, South Mississippi police want to make sure you stay safe on the roads.

Several area law enforcement agencies are taking part in a national campaign called "Superbowl Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk."

When Donald Sullivan of Saucier lost his life on the side of Interstate 10 this week, D'Iberville police said it was third time in two months they'd worked an accident where someone was seriously injured or killed by a suspected drunk driver. 

This Superbowl Sunday, officers said they don't want a post-game tragedy so the first time the department has joined a national campaign centered around the championship game.

"Historically, at Superbowl you have parties, and you have more people on the roads," said Shannon Nobles of the D'Iberville Police Department. "Usually some of those parties you have drinking, and you have having a good time. So we just tried it. Because of the accidents that we've had lately, we need to focus on Superbowl Sunday."

D'Iberville police said they will be beefing up patrols from 8 PM to midnight on Superbowl Sunday. So will many other South Mississippi law enforcement agencies, some of which are also planning to do sobriety checkpoints and put up electronic signs warning of the dangers of drinking and driving.

Nobles said, "If you decide to go to a Superbowl party, if you decide to drink and have a good time, maybe use a designated driver or call or a taxi or stay at the party site. Instead of making a bad judgement and trying to get home if you're impaired."

Officers can't be everywhere, so they're asking football fans to be their eyes and ears.

"We want people that are sober and can make the right choices seeing somebody that is making a wrong choice to drink and drive to take that step," said Nobles. "Take the keys away from them. Call us if you have to. The main thing is public safety. Have a good time but remember public safety."

Officers also have tips for anyone hosting a Superbowl party. Find out from each guest who will be his or her designated driver before the party begins. Also provide plenty of food and a choice of non-alcoholic drinks as well.

Copyright 2012 WLOX. All rights reserved.