If you are one of the millions giving or attending a Super Bowl Party this year, remember to play it safe when it comes to drinking and driving. Super Bowl Sunday is one of the deadliest days for drunk driving. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) reports that nearly 60 percent of traffic deaths on Super Bowl Sunday involve alcohol.

“If you are throwing a Super Bowl party, you should feel a sense of responsibility not to let people drink and drive,” said Dan Williams of  Williams Agency. “Also, in most states, you can be held financially responsible for your guests’ actions after they leave your party.”

In more than 30 states, there are laws or court precedents holding social hosts liable, according to the I.I.I. This means that party givers who serve alcohol can be held legally liable if their guests cause an accident because their driving ability was impaired by the consumption of alcohol.

Erie Insurance Group offers the following tips to help you have a winning Super Bowl Party:

• If you are giving the party, be responsible. Limiting your alcohol intake will allow you to better determine if someone is fit to drive home.
• Offer non-alcoholic beverages for those guests who are driving or choose not to drink.
• Always serve food and water with alcohol.   Food and water can help counter the effects of alcohol.
• Encourage drivers to wear seatbelts and drive defensively.  Try to stay a safe distance behind aggressive or impaired drivers.
• Encourage all guests to have a designated driver.  Make sure that any guest who has had too much to drink does not drive.
• If a friend is unfit to drive home, call a cab or offer the guest room.  This will protect your guest from having an accident and protect you from a lawsuit.

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 16th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 18th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has over four million policies in force and operates in 11 states and the District of Columbia.  To learn more, visit www.erieinsurance.com.