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The below is from a recent article on CityBiz.
Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most anticipated events of the year, bringing together friends, families, and football fans for a day of excitement, celebration, and camaraderie. However, amid the cheers and halftime entertainment, there is a serious, often overlooked danger: impaired driving. The combination of alcohol consumption, late-night celebrations, and post-game commutes makes Super Bowl Sunday one of the most dangerous days on U.S. roads.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 45% of all fatal crashes on Super Bowl Sunday in 2022 involved alcohol, underscoring the urgent need for proactive safety measures. In response, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD), Diageo, the NFL, and Uber have joined forces to launch the “Take a Minute. Make a Plan.” campaign—an initiative designed to encourage fans to spend just 60 seconds arranging a safe ride home before celebrating.
One person who understands the devastating consequences of impaired driving firsthand is MADD National Ambassador Steven Benvenisti, a survivor, advocate, and personal injury attorney. Benvenisti’s story serves as a powerful reminder of why safety must be a priority during major celebrations like the Super Bowl.
Steven Benvenisti’s Story: A Survivor’s Mission to End Impaired Driving
In March 1989, while walking with his college friends during spring break in Florida, Benvenisti was struck by a drunk driver’s vehicle. The force of the impact threw Benvenisti’s unconscious body more than 70 feet. The impact left him with a severe traumatic brain injury, intracranial hemorrhaging, and crushed legs below the knees. He fell into a coma for nearly two weeks and spent five months in the hospital, enduring 15 grueling surgeries. His injuries were so severe that doctors asked his parents to consent to his organ donation. Miraculously, Steven Benvenisti fully recovered from all of his injuries.
Despite this harrowing experience, Benvenisti turned his tragedy into a lifelong mission. Now a distinguished personal injury attorney and partner at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, PC, he dedicates his career to representing victims of impaired driving and advocating for safer roads. His message is clear: every impaired driving crash is 100% preventable.
“I know firsthand the devastation that impaired driving can cause,” says Benvenisti. “No one should ever have to experience what I went through—or worse, lose a loved one—because someone made the reckless decision to drive under the influence. Nationwide, impaired driving fatalities have risen 33% since 2019, making it more important than ever for all of us to take action. The Super Bowl is a time for celebration, and everyone plays a role in keeping our roads safe. By taking just one minute to plan a safe ride home, we can all help prevent impaired driving, protect and save lives.”
The Reality of Super Bowl Sunday: Impaired Driving Increases
With an estimated 325+ million gallons of beer consumed on Super Bowl Sunday, the risks of impaired driving significantly increase. Pre-game gatherings often involve drinking as fans prepare for the game with food and beverages. Halftime celebrations mark a peak in alcohol consumption as excitement builds. Finally, post-game commutes pose one of the greatest dangers, as fans head home after hours of drinking, often impaired and unable to drive safely.
Benvenisti stresses the importance of planning ahead, noting that not doing so can have life-changing consequences.
“Every single impaired driving crash is preventable. There is always a better option—whether it’s using a designated driver, calling a rideshare, or staying where you are. Making a plan before the game even starts could mean the difference between life and death.”
“Take a Minute. Make a Plan.”: A Campaign to Save Lives
To combat the dangers of impaired driving on Super Bowl Sunday, MADD, Diageo, the NFL, and Uber are reminding fans to make safety a priority. The “Take a Minute. Make a Plan.“ campaign is a simple but powerful reminder: before the game starts, take 60 seconds to arrange a safe way home.
Ana Fitzgibbons, Director of Alcohol in Society at Diageo North America, emphasizes the importance of reaching fans at key decision-making moments:
“The ‘Take a Minute. Make a Plan.’ campaign encourages fans to plan ahead for safe transportation before the game even starts. By working with sports venues, bars, and our partners, we are placing this message at critical decision-making moments—from early arrivals to post-game wind-downs—so fans have the resources and reminders they need. This approach ensures that planning ahead becomes as seamless and natural as enjoying the game itself.”
Beyond in-venue activations, the campaign is integrated into the NFL’s platform, ensuring its message reaches fans across multiple platforms.
“We’ve partnered with the NFL to integrate the ‘Take a Minute. Make a Plan’ message throughout their platform, including talent integrations on both CBS and FOX during key games in December and leading up to the Super Bowl. Together with the NFL, MADD and Uber, we have been able to amplify this message across trusted voices and channels – Pre-game shows, The Madden Show, partner social channels, streaming platforms, etc. – and create a powerful surround sound that encourages fans to make safe transportation planning a seamless part of their game-day traditions. By weaving this message into the gameday experience, we make it just as natural as donning team colors or organizing a watch party.”
Benvenisti reinforces the importance of taking just one minute to plan ahead: “Considering that the average football fan spends 690 minutes per week thinking about the game, dedicating just one minute to making a responsible decision is a small effort that can have a life-saving impact.”
Practical Super Bowl Safety Tips
To ensure a safe and enjoyable Super Bowl experience, follow these key safety tips:
1. Plan Your Ride in Advance
Before the game begins, decide how you’ll get home safely. Options include:
- Designating a sober driver
- Using rideshare services like Uber or Lyft
- Taking public transportation
- Staying overnight if needed
2. Look Out for Friends & Family
If you notice someone attempting to drive impaired:
- Take their keys and help them find an alternative ride
- Offer them a place to stay
- Call a rideshare or a taxi for them
3. Be Aware of Other Drivers
Even if you are sober, be vigilant on the roads:
- Drive defensively and anticipate impaired drivers
- Watch for erratic driving behaviors (swerving, sudden stops, slow speeds)
- Report suspected impaired drivers to authorities
4. Host Responsibly
If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party:
- Provide non-alcoholic drink options
- Encourage guests to arrange transportation before drinking
- Offer to call a rideshare for guests who have been drinking
- Let guests stay overnight
“Every time you take a minute to plan a safe ride, you are making a life-saving decision. I survived an impaired driving crash, but countless others never got that second chance. This Super Bowl Sunday, let’s commit to safety—not just for ourselves, but for everyone on the road,” said Benvenisti.
For more information on the “Take a Minute. Make a Plan.” campaign and resources to help you plan ahead, visit www.TakeAMinuteNow.com
