The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) says that “Halloween is a night for friends and family to enjoy candy, costumes and memory-making. However, Halloween drunk-driving fatalities are on the rise.” 

From the period of 2012 to 2016, 44 percent of all people killed in motor vehicle crashes on Halloween night (6:00 p.m. October 31 to 5:59 a.m. November 1) were crashes which involved a drunk driver, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics. Also, children who are trick-or-treating, and those who accompany them, are at risk. Fourteen percent of Halloween pedestrian fatalities were caused by drunk drivers. 

In 2018, the NHTSA is teaming up with local officials to help spread the message that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. For some drivers, even one alcoholic beverage may be one too many. The NHTSA message is, “If you plan to drive, plan to refrain from alcohol. If you plan to drink, be sure to arrange a sober ride home in advance.” 

For more information on how to be safe this Halloween, the NHTSA recommends that friends, family and party hosts can do the following: 

Friends and Family Can:

• Plan on being a designated sober driver or walking buddy if a friend plans on drinking.
• Make sure your friends and family do not drive after drinking.
• Do not let friends or family walk alone after drinking.

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 are sober, drive guests home yourself.

“Halloween is a night for fun, and we at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. hope everyone has a safe holiday. However, should you or a loved one be injured in an accident, we are available 24/7 to assist you. There are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you,” said Florida Child Injuries Attorney, Randall Spivey. 

Florida Child Injuries Attorney Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.