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Call the right play for Super Bowl LI and pass the keys to a sober driver

Jan 23, 2017 | In the News

Football fans across the country will celebrate America’s most watched national sporting event, Super Bowl LI, on Sunday, Feb. 5. For many, the celebration will include drinking alcohol.

That’s why highway safety advocates and law enforcement officials are teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a special “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” reminder to urge all football fans to call the right play on Super Bowl weekend by passing the keys to a sober driver before the drinking begins.

“Impaired driving can be deadly. A driver is considered alcohol-impaired with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, but even a small amount of alcohol can impair judgment and reaction times enough to make driving unsafe,” said Monica Farrar, LMHC, CRC, CASAC-T, a licensed mental health counselor and safety advocate. “According to the NHTSA, 29 percent of all people killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2015 were killed in crashes that involved an impaired driver. That’s more than 10,200 deaths that could have been prevented.”

“Super Bowl fans don’t let other fans — and friends — drive drunk,” Farrar added. “If you want to be the MVP of Super Bowl LI, volunteer to be a designated driver to help your family and friends get home safely. Impaired driving only leads to disaster and tragedy and is never worth the risk. If you do plan to drink, remember to pass the keys to the sober driver before kickoff.”

Farrar, an expert in the field of substance abuse, opened her private practice in 2005. She currently offers individual, group and relationship counseling and uses a person-centered approach while specializing in the treatment of anxiety, depression and grief. Farrar also supports patients adjusting to disabilities, including those with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers. She is recognized as a resource for people in crisis, using her strong community network to connect individuals to the right services.

Farrar’s office is located at 1967 Wehrle Drive, Suite 1, Williamsville. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 250-9831 or visit www.monicafarrarlmhc.com.

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