TxDOT's 'Know When to Pass' Truck Launches Game day Tour

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AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) continues the "Know When to Pass" campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of game day drinking across the state with their "Know When to Pass" truck visits to football games across Texas.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101102/DA92542)

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101102/DA92542)

According to a 2007 study by the University of Texas, football game days are among the heaviest days for alcohol consumption. Starting this football season, TxDOT is taking the lead in tackling this issue by raising awareness of the dangers of game day drinking across the state.

The tour will make the following scheduled stops throughout the month of November:

• Lubbock: Nov. 4-6 for Texas Tech vs. Missouri (Nov. 6)
• El Paso: Nov. 8
• Austin: Nov. 11-13 for University of Texas vs. Oklahoma State (Nov. 13)
• San Antonio: Nov. 15
• College Station: Nov. 18-20 for Texas A&M vs. Nebraska (Nov. 20)
• Dallas: Nov. 21-23 for Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions (Nov. 21)
• Austin: Nov. 25 for University of Texas vs. Texas A&M
• Houston: Nov. 28-30 for Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans (Nov. 28)

Fans can follow the "Know When to Pass" truck on its journey by liking the "Texans Know When to Pass" Facebook page: www.facebook.com/KnowWhenToPass.

"We believe the 'Know When to Pass' truck will help us raise awareness among people throughout the state and, if they've been drinking, motivate them to pass their keys to a designated sober receiver," said Carol T. Rawson P.E., TxDOT Traffic Operations Director. "Our goal is to create turnovers by having impaired drivers turn over their keys to someone else, thereby reducing the number of crashes and fatalities in our state."

National Statistics

• In 2008, nearly 12,000 people were killed in U.S. highway crashes involving alcohol, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officials.
• College home football games are associated with a 13 percent increase in arrests for drunk driving, according to a 2009 University of Colorado Study, "College Football Games and Crime".
• A New England Journal of Medicine study found that vehicle-related fatalities increased 41 percent after the Super Bowl telecast.

Texas Statistics

• 45 percent of those who drink at a football watching party in Texas, have reported driving home.
• According to TxDOT, 30.9 percent of the total traffic fatalities were caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol in 2009. These figures increase over the weekend and on football game days.
• In 2009, there were 27,237 DUI crashes in Texas and 1,547 (6 percent) occurred on football game days when a Texas team was playing.

Texas is tackling this problem with a statewide awareness initiative aimed at reducing the incidences of game day drinking and driving. TxDOT wants to encourage fans to enjoy the big games, but to be responsible when it comes to game day drinking and know when to pass. Always designate a sober driver if you plan on drinking and if you are impaired, do not drive – call a taxi, use mass transit, contact the community safe ride program, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely or simply stay where you are.

TxDOT will house important information, including videos, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/KnowWhenToPass) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/KnowWhenToPass) and TxDOT officials will be Tweeting on the issue.

The Texas Department of Transportation

The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining nearly 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its approximately 12,000 employees strive to empower local leaders to solve local transportation problems, and to use new financial tools, including tolling and public-private partnerships, to reduce congestion and pave the way for future economic growth while enhancing safety, improving air quality and preserving the value of the state's transportation assets. Find out more at www.txdot.gov. Fan us on Facebook www.facebook.com/txdot. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/txdot.

SOURCE Texas Department of Transportation