Unfortunately for Texas residents, ourstate leads the nation in DWI accidents, including fatal alcohol-related car accidents.

Last year in Texas, a significant number of the state's drunk driving accidents -- about 6 percent -- occurred on days when football games were being played. This realization has recently led the Texas Department of Transportation to initiate efforts to highlight the fact that drinking and driving is dangerous, and that post-game DWI accidents are far too common.

Part of the problem appears to be that fans, who sometimes spend the afternoon tailgating in addition to watching games that last around three hours, simply do not realize how much they have been drinking.

As a part of that effort, special campaign trucks have been stationed outside stadiums at different locations in order to increase awareness concerning the dangers of drunk driving on game days. The truck, which is part of a campaign called "Know When to Pass," features a mock home in which six people are depicted watching a game. Two cutouts of football players are stationed outside the truck, depicted taking keys.

In addition to the "Know When to Pass" truck visiting various college and professional stadiums across Texas, radio and television warnings have also been vocal in the effort to prevent DWI accidents.

In some areas, free rides have also been offered to and from stadiums in an effort to prevent drunk driving accidents. Volunteers willing to pick up fans and bring them home have, in some cases, served up to 400 people a night.

In order to avoid drunk driving, it is always wise to designate a driver whenever you plan to be drinking at all. Sober fans can help prevent deadly DWI accidents by keeping track of friends who have been drinking and offering to take their keys.

Hopefully, these efforts will bring awareness to more drivers about game day drinking and help keep the roads safer for everyone in Texas. Keep an eye out for the "Know When to Pass" truck at a stadium near you.

Source: The Daily Texan, "Program targets drunken driving," Allison Harris, Nov. 7, 2011