Erie Insurance Reminds You to Play It Safe Super Bowl Sunday

ERIE, Pa., Jan. 12, 2006 -- 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. Only New Year's Eve is higher with 70 percent of traffic deaths involving alcohol.

"The people giving Super Bowl parties should feel a sense of responsibility not to let people drink to the point where they may be in an auto accident and cause injury to themselves or to others," said Terry McConnell of Erie Insurance. "Also in most states, you can be held financially responsible for your guests' actions after they leave your party."

In over 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.

For more information contact your local Erie Insurance agent or visit the company website at www.erieinsurance.com