Party Hosts Warned About Drunken Driving Risks

The Super Bowl is the latest opportunity for public safety officials to remind people of the dangers of drunken driving - especially if they happen to be planning to host a party for the big game.

This week, the Insurance Information Institute reminded party hosts to provide plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, as well as food, for their guests. It's also advisable for hosts to keep the phone numbers of local cab companies handy. People planning to attend Super Bowl parties also need to remember to go with a designated driver.

The group went on to note that in 2008, 49 percent of the crash fatalities occurring on Super Bowl Sunday involved people with blood alcohol concentrations above the legal limit of 0.08. About 13,000 people died in drunken driving-related crashes in the year 2008.

"Those convicted of drunk driving can also face huge increases in their auto insurance rates, which can more than double. Some insurers may also refuse to insure drivers with a history of impaired driving," said Jeanne Salvatore of the I.I.I.

Party hosts who have one of their guests cause an accident after drinking and driving can also expect to face legal consequences of their own in most states.