The festivities of Halloween are celebrated by millions of Americans each year with eager young children looking forward to an evening of trick-or-treating and adults working on costumes and their Monster Mash skills. This year’s holiday falls on a Saturday, which means there will likely be more parties than usual and more drunk drivers on the streets.
To help spread the message that “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving,” the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Sandersville Police Department to remind everyone of the dangers of drunk driving. Halloween poses especially dangerous threat to pedestrians, as more people are out at night on the hunt for candy. If an individual’s night involves alcohol, plan for a sober ride home. Remember that it is never safe to drink and drive.
“With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, we’re certain to see extra parties throughout the weekend. Every party-goer should plan their sober ride home in advance,” said Captain Kelly Collins of the Sandersville Police Department. “Even one drink can impair judgement. You should never put yourself, or others, at risk because you made the selfish choice to drink and drive.”
Tragically, 3,241 people were killed in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver in Georgia from 2009 – 2018. In 2018, 6.9 % of those killed ranged from ages 21 – 34 and 3.7% were over age of 35. 5.6 % were males and 1.6% females. Shockingly, 1.6% of adults in Georgia reported driving after drinking too much alcohol.
Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians, whether they are trick-or-treating children or adults who have had too much to drink. Walking while intoxicated can be deadly, as lack of attention to surroundings could put pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.
“We want our community to have a fun night out on Halloween, but to also stay safe and make responsible choices,” said Captain Collins. “In today’s world, there are many options available to drivers to help them get home safely if they have been drinking. We expect drivers to refrain from driving after drinking.”
Nationally, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content .08 or higher, and the cost of doing so can be financially detrimental. If an individual is caught drinking and driving, they could face jail time, lose their driver’s license and vehicle, and pay up to $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, car towing, higher insurance rates, and lost wages.
If an individual has a plan to head out for a night of Halloween partying, follow these simple tips for a safe and happy evening:
- Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. If an individual consumes one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or ride service to get home safely.
- If an individual sees a drunk driver on the road, contact the Sandersville Police’s Dispatch at 552-3038.
- Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take their keys away and make arrangements to get the friend home safely.