We all know that Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore. Each year, more adults rediscover the fun and festivities of this yearly tradition of ghosts, treats and secret identities. This year, especially since the holiday falls on a Friday, more adults are going to be out in costumes, spending the Halloween weekend with friends and alcoholic beverage “treats.” This also means there is a higher chance of drunk drivers on the road, making Halloween one of the scariest nights of the year.
On Halloween Night in 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 48% of all traffic fatalities involved a person who was legally intoxicated. Unfortunately, that 48% was much higher than the overall 31% of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in 2012. That same year, 19% of fatal pedestrian crashes on Halloween were attributed to drunk drivers.
Since Halloween is rapidly becoming a danger to anyone on the roads, the NHTSA and local law enforcement will be patrolling the streets, looking for drunk drivers. Even a little buzz can be enough for a drunk driving conviction, leading to consequences like a court date, ignition interlock and much more.
However, you can choose to save yourself and your loved ones the worry about you becoming a Halloween statistic. Arrange your plans with friends prior to Halloween to include a designated driver, and even have a backup plan, just in case. You can always count on a taxi service, sober ride program, or even staying at home to ensure your own safety, and the safety of your goblin friends. Since it is Halloween weekend, you could even trade the honor of “designated driver” each night this weekend: just don’t drink and drive.
Halloween doesn’t have to be a scary night; it can be fun for young and old. After the kids are in bed and the doorbells are quiet, you have plenty of time to create new Halloween memories with friends. With a designated driver or other safety plans after drinking, you can make sure those are good memories that last a long time, and not just another Halloween horror story.
