Halloween in Mariposa County
Plan Ahead and Designate a Sober Driver Prior to Your Holiday Fun
Sacramento, CA – Halloween is often recognized as a holiday that offers just as much fun for adults as it does for children. Youngsters may look forward to a night of trick-or-treating, but many adults choose to partake in the festivities, too – oftentimes with alcohol included. While Halloween may be a spooky night, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and California Highway Patrol (CHP) want to help ensure that it is also a safe one. If you plan on making alcohol a part of your celebrations this year, designating a sober driver or finding a safe ride home should be a top priority.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs always presents serious, life-threatening risks, but even more so on a night when pedestrians and children are out trick-or-treating,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “By taking just a few extra minutes to designate a sober driver, you will not only avoid the serious risk and costs associated with a DUI, but you will also help protect your own life and the lives of those around you.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 2009 and 2013, 43 percent of all traffic fatalities on Halloween night involved an impaired driver. In 2013 alone, 26 percent of all pedestrian fatalities on Halloween night involved an impaired driver.
“With Halloween falling on a weekend this year, we expect an increase in celebrations,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “With a few simple precautions, you should be able to enjoy the fun and get home safely. Drive sober, avoid distractions behind the wheel, and be especially alert around pedestrians.”
The California Office of Traffic Safety wishes you a fun and safe Halloween. To keep up with the latest traffic safety information, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @OTS_CA or “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOTS. For more information on all OTS efforts, visit www.OTS.ca.gov.
Source: CHP
