Drive Safe this Halloween

October 26. 2011

 A vehicle accident, especially one on a holiday, is tragic. That is why the Licking County Safe Communities Coalition urges motorist to be very careful and pedestrians to stay alert as they enjoy this year’s Halloween festivities.

The Safe Communities Coalition wants to remind motorists of the increased number of children who will be out walking on Halloween. Excited trick-or-treaters may forget the rules of the road, so motorists must be attentive. Watch for children darting out from between parked cars, on roadways, medians, and curbs. Obey the speed limit. Slow down and give room when children are walking along the side of the road.

Pedestrians should also be reminded to pay attention to their surroundings and any traffic that is present. Children should walk instead of run when crossing streets. Carrying a flashlight or glow stick is also a good idea to be more visible to motorists.

Sadly, Halloween is also a dangerous night on the roads due to alcohol-related crashes caused by those who drink and drive after Halloween parties and festivities. State and local law enforcement will be out in full force this Halloween cracking down on drunk drivers with an aggressive enforcement blitz: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

The Safe Communities Coalition warns if you intend to celebrate, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! “Halloween should be a time for scary costumes, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating with kids,” said Kate White, Licking County Safe Communities Coordinator. “But unfortunately, Halloween has also become a very treacherous and deadly night of the year due to impaired driving.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 48 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31 to 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1) in 2009 involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams per deciliter or higher, which is illegal in every state. For a safer Halloween weekend, Safe Communities recommends these simple tips:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys;
• If you are impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, do not hesitate to contact your local law enforcement by calling 1-800-GRAB-DUI.

Real-life Halloween nightmares are simple to avoid if you make smart decisions. Never drive drunk. Designate your sober driver in advance. No exceptions. No excuses. Remember, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Contact Info: Kate White, kdwhite@lickingcohealth.org (740) 349-6535

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