Halloween is just a few days away, and that means scary costumes, frightening parties and lots of candy will be flowing in neighborhoods throughout Ohio. While the Halloween holiday is a time for people to have fun by dressing up, going to scary haunted houses and putting up spooky decorations, everyone should be aware of a real safety issue this Halloween.
Drunk driving has become a serious safety issue on Halloween in Ohio and throughout the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more than 50 percent of fatal car accidents on Halloween involve drunk driving.
Statistics show that in 2011, 44 percent of fatal car accidents that occurred over the weekend before Halloween were caused by a driver with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. On Halloween night in 2011, 38 percent of fatalities involved a drunk driver with a BAC of .08 or higher.
Drunk driving has caused many fatal car accidents in Ohio and in the U.S. during Halloween. To address the safety issue, the Ohio Highway Patrol is cracking down on drunk driving, and said they will have additional patrols looking for impaired driving during Halloween this year.
Individuals and families celebrating Halloween this year should be aware of potential drunk drivers on the road, and report any drivers who appear impaired or are driving dangerously. In addition, people going to Halloween parties should make an effort to plan for a sober ride home instead of drinking too much and getting behind the wheel.
Halloween is a time for tricks and treats. However, drunk driving is not a trick anyone should be giving as it can only result in serious injuries and even death for everyone involved.
Source: The News-Messenger, “Area police plan extra Halloween patrols,” Oct. 29, 2013
