tAs Super Bowl Sunday approaches this Sunday and football fans everywhere prepare for the game, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and dozens of local police departments across Illinois will join forces to spread two life-saving messages, which includes “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”  A combined total of some 300 roadside safety checks, seat belt enforcement zones and other enforcement details will take place this weekend as part of the effort.  In Illinois, during the last five years, 17 motor vehicle fatalities have occurred on Super Bowl Sunday.  Nine of those fatalities involved a drinking driver.  Last year in Illinois, seven people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes on Super Bowl Sunday and two of those deaths involved a driver who had been drinking.  If you’re attending a Super Bowl party anywhere, designate a sober driver before the party begins.  Also, avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself, eat plenty of food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.  Make sure your ride is sober before letting him/her drive you.  If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home or call a cab, friend, or family member to come get you or, if possible, stay where you are for the night and don’t drive until you are sober.  Always buckle up and drive defensively. It’s still your best protection against drunk drivers.  If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash.  Also, if an underage person drinks and drives, the parent or provider may be legally liable for any damage, injury or death caused by the underage driver.  Likewise, parents or other adults who provide alcohol to or host a party where alcohol is available to those under age 21, could face jail time.  For more information on IDOT’s traffic safety programs, go to trafficsafety.illinois.gov.