Stop DUI, Inc. Halloween News Release

Published on Thu, Oct 25, 2012 (5:27 p.m.)

Submitted by Stop DUI, Inc.

October, 2012

NEWS RELEASE
HALLOWEEN AND DUI

Contact: Sandy Heverly
(702) 376-1238 or 456-7867

“If you think your Halloween costume will disguise your impaired driving, think again”, said Sandy Heverly, Executive Director for STOP DUI.

This Halloween night, efforts by law enforcement will be looking for drunk and drugged drivers who think they can “mask” their impairment.

Heverly said “night time is always a dangerous time on the road but Halloween can be particularly dangerous if you get behind the wheel after ingesting alcohol or other drugs that impair your ability to drive”.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 41% of all highway fatalities throughout the nation during the Halloween holiday period in 2010 (6:00PM October 29 – 5:59AM November 1) involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher.

“The most frightening part of Halloween isn’t the scary costumes” said Heverly, it’s being told an innocent child was killed by a drunk driver. Twelve year old Faith Love was killed while crossing the street on Halloween night October 31, 2011, by Justin Caramanica who was driving under the influence. This is the type of tragedy STOP DUI and Law Enforcement will be working to prevent”.

STOP DUI recommends these simple safety tips for a safe and Happy Halloween:

• Before drinking, always plan a safe and sober way home. Designate a sober driver and leave your keys at home.

• If you have been drinking or using other drugs that impair your ability to drive safely, use public transportation, take a cab, walk, or call a sober friend or family member.

• If you’re hosting a Halloween Party and serving alcohol, be a responsible host and make sure no one leaves the gathering in a condition that would endanger the safety of others.

• If you see a suspected impaired driver, call 911 – yes, it’s an emergency!

Heverly said “all drivers need to be especially alert on this night of little ghosts and goblins as there will be thousands of them visiting the neighborhoods of our community”.

Alcohol impaired vehicle crashes cost the U.S. 37 billion dollars a year. One alcohol related DUI fatality occurs every 51 minutes.