Halloween Impaired Driving Mobilization Runs Oct. 21 – 31
CLEARFIELD – As part of a state-wide DUI enforcement mobilization, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Clearfield County DUI Strike Force, local law enforcement agencies in Clearfield County and the Pennsylvania DUI Association held a media event at Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield to remind Halloween partiers that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.
During a portion of the enforcement initiative, from Oct. 27 – 31, Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub representatives will hand out ‘HERO’ stickers for people to place on the rear of their car window or bumper to promote the use of safe and sober designated drivers.
The HERO campaign was started in memory of Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, who was killed by a drunk driver on July 22, 2000.
“If you want to stay safe this Halloween, then make a plan to get home without driving if you’ve been drinking,” said Officer Nate Curry. “Even one drink impairs judgement, so plan to get home by designating a sober drive. Buzzed driving is drunk driving, so think ahead to stay safe.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 43 percent of all people killed in motor vehicle crashes on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31– 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1) from 2009 to 2013 were in crashes involving a drunk driver.
On Halloween Night alone, 119 people lost their lives over that same period. Children out trick-or-treating and the parents accompanying them are also at risk, as 19 percent of fatal pedestrian crashes on Halloween night (2009-2013) involved drunk drivers.
It is illegal everywhere in America to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. In 2013, 10,076 people were killed in drunk driving crashes. Even if you drive drunk and aren’t killed or seriously injured you could end up paying as much $10,000 for a DUI.
Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving, so follow these simple tips to stay safe:
- Plan a safe way to get home before you attend the party. Alcohol impairs judgement, as well as reaction time. If you’re drunk you’re more like to choose to drive drunk.
- Designate a sober driver or a call a sober friend or family member to get home.
- Walking while impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement when it is safe to do so.
- If you see someone you think is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them get home safely.
For more information, visit here. Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAStateCOLL.