Beware this Halloween Night, Avoid Driving Under the Influence and Stay Alert

In the lead-up to Halloween, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is urging vigilance as impaired driving incidents continue to rise, with a notable increase of 11 percent in Hamilton alone this year [1]. This alarming trend is reflected nationwide, as drunk driving deaths have increased by 33 percent since 2019 [3].

Halloween, known for its festivities and costumes, is unfortunately one of the deadliest nights for pedestrians, especially children. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 39 percent of fatal car crashes on Halloween in 2022 involved impaired drivers [4].

Stacey D. Stewart, CEO of MADD, emphasises the importance of keeping Halloween safe for all. "Halloween should be about costumes and candy, not worrying about impaired drivers," she states [2]. To ensure everyone's safety, MADD recommends several strategies:

Designate a sober driver before heading out.
Utilise alternatives such as taxis, ride-sharing services (Uber/Lyft), or public transit.
Plan transportation ahead to avoid driving while impaired.
Report suspected impaired drivers to emergency services.

Moreover, MADD supports national crackdowns enforced through law enforcement partnerships, which increase impaired driving enforcement details around holidays like Halloween [2][4][5].

The impaired driving crisis is not limited to cars. MADD also advises against driving impaired while operating recreational vehicles like bikes, golf carts, or ATVs. If you plan to drink, never drive, and make a plan to get home safely [3].

Parents play a crucial role in ensuring their children's safety. They should supervise trick-or-treaters, ensuring they are highly visible, use reflective tape or stickers, and wear light colours. Children should carry glow sticks or flashlights and, when possible, opt for face paint over masks, as masks can limit vision [3].

The risk is particularly high for children ages four to eight [5]. To protect them, parents should have open and honest conversations about the importance of making safe choices regarding underage drinking and impaired driving.

The HALT Act, passed in 2021, mandates the installation of lifesaving anti-drunk driving technology in all new cars, a move that is expected to save over 10,000 lives per year [1]. MADD encourages everyone to report suspected impaired drivers to law enforcement immediately.

As neighbourhoods fill with children, teens, and adults in dark costumes at night, it becomes even more critical for everyone to stay safe and alert. Designated drivers should be extra vigilant on the roads, as more impaired drivers will be behind the wheel, and pedestrians will be out at night trick-or-treating.

Every 78 seconds, someone is killed or injured in a drunk driving crash [3]. It's a stark reminder that impaired driving deaths and injuries are 100% preventable [3]. Let's make this Halloween a safe one for all.

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