SCHP Increases Patrols for Super Bowl Weekend
State and local law enforcement officials are teaming up to increase patrols and check points during the Super Bowl
Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Ahead of Sunday’s Championship game, the South Carolina Highway Patrol says they will be ramping up patrols to prevent drunk driving.
“We’re excited to see the Panthers bring home a win but know that first and foremost troopers are going to be out to protect the citizens in South Carolina,” said Trooper David Jones.
Last year on Super Bowl Sunday state troopers made 9 DUI arrests in Lexington and Richland County. For this year’s championship game trooper David Jones says they will be teaming up with local agencies to increase patrols and set up checkpoints.
“If you make that poor decision to drive, be prepared to go to jail,” said Jones. “Don’t think that you’re going to be able to take a back road to get home to your neighborhood, know that if you’re going to be out having drinks go ahead and prepare now because again it’s something that’s senseless, it’s something that can be prevented.”
To prevent any DUI’s or drunk-driving fatalities, troopers remind motorists to plan ahead of Sunday’s kick-off by designating a driver or organizing alternative transportation.
“What we’re asking motorists to do is take the responsible choice, make sure you have a taxi in place now, don’t wait until the 4th quarter,” explained Jones. “All too often the misconception is if you consumer alcohol you wait 3 hours during the game and you sober up and that’s just not the case.”
Officials remind motorists if they see an impaired driver on the road to dial *HP.
