As any rideshare driver can tell you, Halloween is a busy night. There are cars everywhere filled with people going out. Kids are trick-or-treating through the neighborhoods, sometimes zigzagging from one side of the street to the other. Some parents also cruise down the street, keeping an eye on their kids, sometimes adding to the commotion unwittingly. The streets are alive and congested.
There’s an abundance of hazards for any driver on Halloween night; don’t add alcohol to the mix. Before you head out to your costume contest or Halloween house party, take a moment to consider your transportation. Are you driving there and back? Should you designate a non-drinking driver or use rideshare instead? If your plans include alcohol, that is a definite yes.
MADD wants to remind all drivers of legal drinking age to plan a safe ride home. Remember that a designated driver is a non-drinking driver. If you don’t have one available, you can use a rideshare app, take a cab or take public transportation.
Maybe you’re not driving at all. There are still some things to take into consideration. If you’re hosting a Halloween party, here are few Halloween safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
Party hosts can
- Take action to prevent guests from walking alone or driving after drinking: serve plenty of food, non-alcoholic beverages, and less alcohol; collect car keys from guests who are drinking; designate sober drivers and walking buddies; and stop serving alcohol an hour before the party ends. Be prepared to call taxis, provide sleeping accommodations, or—if you’re sober—drive guests home yourself.
- Remember that social host liability laws may hold you responsible for parties where underage people drink, regardless of who furnishes the alcohol, and you could be held legally responsible for your guests’ behavior after they leave your party.
- Consider holding parties at a restaurant or facility with professional alcohol servers who have been trained in responsible alcohol service practices. Take steps to limit your liability.
With so many safe options available today, there is never an excuse to drink and drive. Do your part to make sure everyone gets home safely. Have a safe and happy Halloween!
