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Nebraska State Troopers urge for sober drivers following Super Bowl

Posted at 2:23 PM, Feb 04, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-04 15:23:54-05

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — "Before you start drinking, have a plan to get home."

It's not too late to get a ride home, either.

Nebraska State Trooper Tom Hicken has seen it before--fans that make the decision to drive themselves home after too much to drink.

"You're always going to have those people who don't care," Trooper Hicken said. "It's on them 100 percent. We have a job to do. We don't want drunk drivers out there with our families on the road."

Trooper Hicken says after more than 15 years with the Nebraska State Patrol, Super Bowl DUIs aren't as high as you would think.

"Tomorrow, people have to work, so statistically there aren't a lot of DUIs on Super Bowl Sunday, but that could change at any time.

Troopers arrested one driver around 10:30 Sunday night after the game. Troopers tweeted the driver committed a third DUI offense.

Law enforcement will still be out on patrol, arresting those who think it's OK to get behind the wheel.

The State Patrol even reminded fans on Twitter to designate a sober driver.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation was even reminding fans to check off the list to score a designated driver.

"It's a life changer," Trooper Hicken said.

He wants to remind you what you're going up against when you decide to get behind the wheel and they catch you.

"What I've seen is a $400 or $500 fine, a six month to year probation, an interlocked device in your vehicle ... obviously your insurance is going to up which is huge."