Halloween is a widely popular holiday among both children and adults. Costume parties and late-night celebrations are just as common as trick-or-treating. Unfortunately, when combining that popularity with irresponsible drivers, Halloween also becomes one of the most dangerous nights of the year. In fact, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that Halloween consistently ranks as one of the deadliest days for car accidents.
The NHTSA also found that almost half of all traffic-related fatalities that happen on Halloween night involve a drunk driver. These accidents happen primarily between 6:00 p.m. on Halloween evening until 6:00 a.m. on Nov 1, and younger drivers are the most vulnerable. Those between 21 to 34 years old account for over 46 percent of drunk driving deaths.
With so many children out trick-or-treating, everyone must do their part to help prevent drunk driving accidents on Halloween. If you plan to attend a party on Halloween night, please remember to do the following:
- Have a designated driver.
- When hosting a party, make sure all guests have travel arrangements.
- Do not walk home if you are drunk.
- Always practice caution, especially when you are in a neighborhood where children are present.
- Try to do trick-or-treating when there is daylight.
If you trick-or-treat when it is dark, you should do the following:
- Always have a flashlight and wear bright, reflective clothing.
- Cross the street at designated crosswalks or where pedestrian signals are available.
- Only trick-or-treat in well-lit areas.
- Stay together in groups.
What Should I Do if I See an Intoxicated Driver?
Police have been ramping up efforts to prevent drunk driving on Halloween night for quite some time now, but they cannot do it alone. Officers have received better training to recognize impaired drivers, and there are more sobriety checkpoints available.
However, if you see a driver who is visibly drunk, contact the authorities immediately. It is also important to keep distance between your car and their vehicle. If you can, try to get the license plate number, and make note of the car’s make, model, and car. Do not chase down the vehicle, the authorities will safely handle the situation.
Media Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Help Clients Injured by Drunk Drivers on Halloween Night
Halloween is a fun holiday, but it is also dangerous. If you have been injured by a drunk driver, contact our Media car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. immediately. Call us at 610-565-3701 or fill out our online form to schedule an initial consultation. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we proudly serve clients throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.