Halloween is just around the corner and it is a time for fun and creating memories. But it is also a time of high risk for dangerous behaviors.
Halloween has become one of the deadliest nights of the year, especially with drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, half of the car crash accidents in 2009 that happened between 6 p.m. on October 31 and 6 a.m. November 1 were because of drivers under the influence.
In addition, a national report by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) stated that in 2011 between October 30 and November 1, 74 people died in crashes involving a drunk driver. This is more than a 20% increase compared to the average number of drunk-driving deaths per day in the U.S.
Law enforcement agencies take drunk driving on Halloween seriously and a DUI can cost you up to an average of $10,000.
But a high cost is not the only damage drunk driving can cause.
Children are more than two times as likely to be killed by a car while walking on Halloween night. With 41 million annual trick-or-treaters, drunk drivers put many people at risk. No mask or costume will be able to prevent you from the inconvenience, high cost and trauma that follow a drunk driving arrest or crash.
Halloween can remain a fun and happy celebration as long as you remember to stay safe and be smart. Don’t let turn your Halloween into a nightmare, and ensure that your friends and family understand the scary truth about Halloween and drinking.
Know the risks and choose to celebrate responsibly.