The NLCRPD reminds drivers that Halloween is a time for children and other pedestrians higher than normal nighttime pedestrian traffic on or near streets and roadways. Unfortunately, it is also a time of a noticeable increase in DUI related offenses and arrests. The NLCRPD will have increased patrols on duty during this weekend to respond to this safety challenge. Remember that if you are arrested for DUI there are many consequences that do not amount to a treat by any definition. Be safe, be sure, and use a designated driver to and from your holiday parties.

This Halloween, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with local officials to help spread the message that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Even one alcoholic beverage could be one too many for some drivers, so if you plan to drive, refrain from alcohol. If you do plan to enjoy some witch’s brew, be sure to arrange a sober ride home in advance. Read these scary stats and commit to sober driving today.

• During Halloween night (6 p.m. October 31 to 5:59 a.m. November 1) during the years 2015-2019, there were 126 people killed in drunk-driving crashes.
• During Halloween night from 2015-2019, 41% of those killed were in traffic crashes that involved at least one drunk driver.
• During Halloween night 2019, there were 21 vehicle occupants and four pedestrians killed in drunk-driving crashes.
• Adults between the ages of 21 and 34 had the highest percentage (62%) of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night in 2019.
• Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with blood alcohol concentrations [BACs] at or above .08 grams per deciliter [g/dL]). In 2019, there were 10,142 people killed in drunk-driving crashes.
• Nationally, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, except in Utah, where the limit is .05 g/dL.
• Although it’s illegal to drive when impaired by alcohol, in 2019, one person was killed every 52 minutes in a drunk driving crash on our nation’s roads.
• Men are more likely than women to be driving drunk when involved in fatal crashes. In 2019, 21% of male drivers were drunk, compared to 14% of female drivers.
• Of the traffic fatalities in 2019 among children 14 and younger, 19% (204) occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.
• Among the 10,142 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in 2019, 68% (6,872) were in crashes in which at least one driver had a BAC of .15 or higher.
• Nighttime is a particularly dangerous time to be on the roads: The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2019 was 3.3 times higher at night than during the day.