WASHINGTON – With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is warning that drunk driving could be the worst it’s been since Halloween 2015 when 49% of all traffic crashes were caused by drunk driving.
“The last time Halloween was on a Saturday in 2015, it was the deadliest holiday for drunk driving of the entire year,” said MADD National President Helen Witty. “Regardless of what day of the week a holiday happens to be, we want everyone to plan ahead if they consume alcohol. The key is to make that plan before the first drink.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 92 people died due to alcohol-related crashes on Halloween day through 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1, 2015 – nearly half of all traffic deaths for that period. In 2014, when Halloween fell on a Friday, 70 people were killed by drunk driving or 36% of all traffic fatalities.
More recently, Halloween has occurred on weekdays, and the number of alcohol-related deaths has declined:
- Monday, Oct. 31, 2016: 26 alcohol-related deaths, 22% of all traffic fatalities
- Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017: 25 alcohol-related deaths, 24% of all traffic fatalities
- Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018: 27 alcohol-related deaths, 24% of all traffic fatalities.
- Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019: Not yet available from NHTSA
“2020 has been a tough year for everyone, and one thing we have learned is that drunk driving has not stopped,” Witty said. “We know people are restless and anxious to get out and socialize. We just ask everyone to choose their designated driver, whether it’s a non-drinking friend or family member, rideshare, taxi or public transportation. If you drink, don’t drive. And if you drive, don’t drink.”
About Mothers Against Drunk Driving Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 390,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.
Contact: Becky Iannotta, 202.600.2032, [email protected]
