Halloween is only a few days away and millions of children are eagerly anticipating dressing up in their costumes to go trick-or-treating. But Halloween is not just for kids. Many Georgia college students and adults are looking forward to attending costume parties and celebrating with friends. Consequently, this also means that more individuals may make the mistake to drink and drive this Halloween weekend.
Statistics reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that Halloween is one of the deadliest nights of the year for drunk drivers. In 2009, almost half of the fatalities resulting from traffic accidents that occurred between 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 to 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1 involved drunk driving.
In an effort to try to prevent more individuals from drinking and driving this weekend, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) teamed up with other groups in the state who are devoted to increasing the safety of individuals on our roads. The groups are working with law enforcement to increase patrols this weekend so that drunk drivers can be caught before they become another statistic.
Most importantly, the groups are making a concerted effort to remind party-goers to plan how they will get home safely ahead of time. The GOHS director commented that even if an individual only has a couple of drinks and thinks he or she is okay to drive, the individual shouldn’t take any chances. “Whether you’ve had one too many or way too many, it is just not worth the risk,” he said.
Individuals who drink and drive risk facing numerous consequences in the state of Georgia. One’s license could be suspended, a college student could lose his or her scholarships or one could be sentenced to serve time in prison. Drinking and driving is never condoned, but individuals are especially cautioned this Halloween weekend to stay safe and to avoid getting behind the wheel after having a few drinks.
Source: The Weekly, “Drunk Drivers Can’t Hide Behind Halloween Costumes,” Oct. 24, 2011