Virginia DMV urges fans to plan sober rides for Super Bowl Sunday

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is encouraging fans to plan for a sober ride ahead of the big game on Sunday.

“The cost of a sober ride is nothing compared to a DUI, or the risk of losing a life,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “There are always options available; rideshare services, public transit, taxis, or a sober friend willing to help.”

According to the DMV, between noon on Feb. 9, 2025, and 3 a.m. Feb. 10, 2025, preliminary Virginia data showed 18 crashes involving alcohol on Super Bowl Sunday 2025.

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The department said two people were seriously injured last year, and that on four Super Bowl Sundays prior -- 2021 through 2024 -- at least one life was lost in an alcohol-related crash the night of the Super Bowl.

The DMV urges Virginians to take these precautions by planning ahead and choosing not to trick:

• Designate a driver -- Make arrangements with friends ahead of time to identify a designated driver who will remain sober and ensure everyone gets home safely.
• Call a car service -- Save the number of a local taxi service or download a rideshare app, like Uber or Lyft, before heading out.
• Buckle up -- Seat belts remain the best defense in a crash and are required for all passengers under Virginia’s seat belt law.
• Host responsibly -- Hosts should provide non-alcoholic beverage options and food for guests. Step in to help guests find a safe ride home if they have been drinking.

Anyone caught driving under the influence (DUI) could face jail time, lose their driver's license and use of their vehicle, leading to high financial costs, including attorney’s fees, fines, towing, increased insurance rates and lost wages. The DMV said these costs can average $11,000.

Discounted rideshare codes are available in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads through the Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s (WRAP) Sober Ride initiative and Drive Safe Hampton Roads.

Per the DMV, these codes are valid for Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 8, offering up to $15 off a Lyft ride for participants 21 and older.

For more details on the discounted rideshare codes, visit WRAP’s Sober Ride program or Drive Safe Hampton Roads.