This is a guest blog post from I DRIVE SAFELY, the largest online driving school in the United States offering Online Traffic School/ Defensive Driving, Teen and Adult Drivers Ed and Insurance Reduction courses.
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Fan violence, unruly behavior and drinking excessively, does that sound like our national past time?
Attending a professional sporting event has become less enticing for many. Not only is it becoming more and more expensive, but alcohol related incidents have an alarming number of people opting to stay home rather than attending games in person.
Getting Testy
During a recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota, 362 adults exiting 13 baseball games and three football games were asked to complete a survey and submit to a breathalyzer test to determine their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).This study was the first ever conducted to measure blood alcohol content immediately after professional sporting events in the United States.
Results of the BAC revealed:
- 60% of participants exiting the game had zero BAC
- 40% showed a positive BAC
- Nearly 8% were legally drunk
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The study also showed that people under the age of 35 were eight times more likely to be legally drunk than other fans, and those who "tailgate" before the game were the worst offenders. Tailgaters were shown to be 14 times more likely to leave a game intoxicated.
In an anonymous survey following the breathalyzer test, one in four tailgaters admitted to consuming at least five alcoholic beverages. Those with the highest BAC range consumed an average of 6.6 drinks. The study also showed that one out of every 12 fans attending a football or baseball game will leave the stadium legally drunk. Let’s do the math. If 60,000 people show up to a football game and one out of 12 leaves drunk, that’s 5,000 intoxicated people on their way home. The most alarming thing is a good percentage of these intoxicated fans will probably get behind the wheel and drive home.
Taking Action
In an effort to minimize alcohol related incidents many sports stadiums and arenas have set their own policies. For example at the University of Phoenix Stadium, where the Arizona Cardinals, play they strongly encourage all fans to exercise responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages.
A few of their rules include:
- Any fan that shows signs of impairment and/or intoxication will not be allowed to enter or will be removed from University of Phoenix Stadium and subject to arrest.
- Any attempt to bring alcohol inside the stadium or possession of an alcoholic beverage not purchased from the University of Phoenix Stadium concessionaire may result in ejection.
- Concessionaire staff members reserve the right to deny service to fans that show signs of impairment and/or intoxication.
- A maximum of two alcoholic beverages or 32 ounces of beer will be sold per person per transaction.
- Alcohol sales in the general seating areas of University of Phoenix Stadium will stop at the conclusion of the third quarter.
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Angel Stadium of Anaheim, home of the Los Angeles Angels, takes it a step further by not even allowing people to bring alcohol into the parking lot or consume it there. They also stop the sales of alcohol inside the stadium at the conclusion of the 7th inning.
Unfortunately not all sports facilities have strict policies regarding alcohol. In an effort to make all stadiums and arenas adhere to some sort of policy, the people at TeamCoalition.org have compiled this list of the average rules that all the members of their coalition follow:
- ID policy: 30 and younger
- Maximum number of beers per purchase: 2 beers
- Maximum serving size per beer: 20 oz
- Denial of outside beverages into the facility
- Alcohol sales cut off times for pro sports:
- MLB: end of the 7th inning
- NFL: end of the 3rd quarter
- NBA end of the 3rd period
- End of the 2nd period
Relief Pitcher
In addition to these proposed guidelines TeamCoalition.org suggests that all sports facilities also incorporate some type of designated driver program. To encourage participation in the program, the designated driver could be rewarded with free concessions, VIP parking or upgraded seating when available.
In return the designated driver will sign an agreement pledging to:
- Present a valid driver’s license proving they are over 21 years of age
- Not drink alcohol while at the stadium
- Take responsibility for driving home their friends and family who have been drinking
Closing Thoughts
Clinical proof shows that alcohol related issues need to be addressed in professional sports. Although some stadiums and organizations such as TeamCoalition.org are doing their part to set policies, it’s extremely crucial for fans to police themselves. If you’re attending a professional sporting event in the future, be sure to:
- Limit your alcohol consumption
- Be sure to eat food and drink plenty of water
- Always appoint a designated driver
- Plan to use public transportation or a taxi
- Use common sense
And always remember to Drive Safely.
Sources:
http://www.drinking-problem.com/drunk-driving/fans-leaving-sports-events-legally-drunk/
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/tailgaters-drunk-sporting-events/story?id=12646946#.UCvl_KllTMg
http://www.teamcoalition.org/about/policies.asp
About I DRIVE SAFELY
Founded in 1998, IDRIVE SAFELY is the largest online driving school in the United States offering Online Traffic School/ Defensive Driving, Teen and Adult Drivers Ed and Insurance Reduction courses. For more information, visit www.idrivesafely.com. I DRIVE SAFELY can also be found at http://www.facebook.com/idrivesafely.
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