Authorities plan Super Bowl Sunday DUI blitz

Traditionally Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest day of the year for football fans, bookies, television sales clerks and pizza kitchens, but the darker traditions of drunken driving have law enforcement ready for a full blitz on alcohol-related incidents.

Orland police Chief Paula Carr said that Super Bowl Sunday has become one of the nation's most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving, and law enforcement in Glenn County will be deploying "saturation patrols" targeted drunken drivers.

"We want to pass our safety message to everyone who will be drinking this weekend — real fans don't let fans drive drunk," Carr said in a statement.

The Orland Police Department heads the "Avoid the 5 Glenn County" program. All other area law enforcement will have extra patrols through out the day, authorities confirmed.

Sheriff's Lt. Richard Warren said there would be "as many bodies on patrol as possible on Sunday."

Willows police Chief Bill Spears also confirmed Willows police would have additional units on patrol.

"We want everyone to enjoy the game safely," Spears said.

Alcohol-impaired driving was responsible for 32 percent of all motor vehicle traffic deaths in 2008 and 49 percent of traffic deaths on Super Bowl Sunday, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Carr said that 11 people were killed on Super Sunday last year in California and another 133 were injured in alcohol-involved collisions.

"Please act responsibly," Carr advised. "Designate a sober driver before the Super Bowl party and leave your car keys at home."

Contact Rob Parsons at 934-6800 or rparsons@tcnpress.com.