NEW YORK, N.Y. - "Don't drink and drive," is the message to fans as the regular season opens this week when the N.Y. Giants play host to San Francisco at Giants Stadium on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. and the N.Y. Jets play at Buffalo on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The metropolitan area football teams, stadium and concession vendors have joined the Tri-State Traffic Safety Partners (TTSP) this opening day to get the word out to their fans about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Males between the ages of 21-34 are the population identified by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) as most at risk to drink and drive and many football fans fit this age group. This, coupled with the fact that some fans drink at tailgate parties and games, has brought about this new initiative. "We want the game day experience to be a safe and enjoyable one for our fans as they travel to the stadium and as they travel home after our games from wherever they happen to watch them," said Giants Executive Vice President John Mara.

Last year, 15,935 people were killed and over 300,000 were injured as a result of impaired driving. In the year 2000, 35 percent of the traffic deaths in the tri-state area were alcohol-related. "Those who plan on drinking at the football games or elsewhere would be wise to designate a driver or take public trans-portation," said Tom Louizou, Regional Administrator of NHTSA. " New York area traffic congestion compounded by the drinking that can go along with sports gatherings is a dangerous combination."

The same holds true for those that go out to watch the Giants and Jets on television or hold football parties with friends and neighbors. Weekend alcohol-related deaths in the year 2000 double those that occur during the week, thus State and local police increase their presence at those times as well. But by acting responsibly, fans can do their part to keep weekend fatality and crash numbers to a minimum. According to Louizou, "as students return to school, friends and families enjoy football and tailgates are inevitable. Injuries and deaths caused by drinking and driving are not-especially when you plan ahead and designate a driver."

The Tri-State Traffic Safety Partners is a coalition of federal and state government agencies representing New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. This announcement is the first in a series of efforts by the TTSP to work with the sports teams throughout the metropolitan area to encourage fans to act responsibly and safely on our roads and highways.

Free brochures about drinking and driving are available from the Tri-Sate Traffic Safety Partners at (914) 682-6162 or email: region2@nhtsa.dot.gov.

© New York Giants 2002