KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Police Department is urging fans not to drink and drive over the Super Bowl weekend. No matter how fans plan to watch the game, they said those plans should include a sober driver.
Super Bowl LVIII kicks off Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The San Francisco 49ers will play against the Kansas City Chiefs in one of the most-watched annual sporting events. More than 100 million people regularly tune in to watch the game — around a third of the country's population.
In Tennessee, people convicted of drinking and driving can face up to a year in prison, and immediately up to seven consecutive days in jail if they are pulled over with at least a 0.2 BAC.. Licenses can be revoked for a year and people convicted of drunk driving the first time may also need to participate in an alcohol and drug treatment program.
Penalties for subsequent offenses increase each time, until the fourth time a person is convicted. The fourth offense is considered a Class E felony. Penalties for other offenses committed while drinking and driving, such as hitting a person with a car or endangering a child, are also increased.
"Fans don't let fans drive drunk," KPD said on social media.