Fans planning to celebrate Super Bowl XLI while drinking at a party, bar or restaurant will also want to plan a way to get home safely. Thirty agencies in nine counties will put additional officers on the road specifically to arrest drunk drivers during Super Bowl weekend.

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is administering federal traffic safety funds for the enforcement activity in an effort to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities.  These funds allow agencies to add patrols.

"The most important player of any Super Bowl party is the designated driver," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP division director. "Extra officers will be on patrol, so the safest bet is to designate a sober driver or volunteer to be one yourself."

During Super Bowl Sunday last year, 168 people were arrested in Michigan for drunk driving.

Participating counties include: Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Mason, Oakland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Shiawassee and Wayne.

For a list of planned Super Bowl patrol dates, times and locations, please visit www.michigan.gov/ohsp.

OHSP offers these tips for a safe and fun Super Bowl party:

• Designate a sober driver before the party begins.

• Recognize designated drivers by paying for their food or a tank of gas.   

• Stop drinking by the end of the third quarter.

• Always buckle up - it's your best defense against impaired drivers.