A warning to Super Bowl drivers in Batlett, Hoffman Estates
My second favorite Super Bowl came in 1998, when Denver defeated Green Bay. Not only did the hated Packers lose, but I dined on a record number of chicken wings from Dorian's, the best wing joint in Syracuse, N.Y.
Now, ingesting a mass quantity of chicken wings could be dangerous to your digestive system, but it's not as hazardous as downing a six-pack of beer and deciding to drive home.
Both Bartlett and Hoffman Estates police departments don't care if you root for Pittsburgh or Arizona. What they want is for motorists to use proper judgment on Super Bowl Sunday.
Hoffman Estates police Assistant Chief Steve Casstevens broke out the numbers, citing 48 percent of fatal motor crashes during last year's Super Bowl involved motorists with blood-alcohol levels above .08 percent, the legal limit in Illinois. In 2007, 32 percent of motor-vehicle deaths involved alcohol.
Bartlett and Hoffman Estates police will have extra squad cars on the street looking for drunkards during and after the big game. By finding a responsible designated driver, you won't have to worry about that. Police also suggest calling a cab and reporting impaired drivers. Obviously, there's no shame in sleeping it off by crashing at the Super Bowl party's venue.
In case you're wondering, Super Bowl XX was my favorite, and I was too young to imbibe. Enjoy the game.