FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Drive Safe, Smart, and Sober this Halloween

GLEN BURNIE, MD (October 29, 2008) -- A vehicle accident, especially one on a holiday, is tragic. That is why the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) urges motorist to be very careful and pedestrians alert as they enjoy this year’s Halloween festivities

MVA wants to remind motorists that increased numbers of children will be walking in the neighborhoods on Halloween. Excited trick-or-treaters may forget the rules of the road, so motorists must be attentive.  Watch for children darting out from between parked cars, on roadways, medians, and curbs.  Obey the speed limit and slow down when children are walking along the side of the road.

Pedestrians should also be reminded to pay attention to their surroundings and any traffic that is present.  Children should walk instead of running when crossing streets.  Carrying a flashlight or glow stick is also a good idea to make sure you are visible to motorists.

Sadly, Halloween is a dangerous night on the roads due in part to alcohol-related crashes caused by those who drink and drive after parties and festivities.  State and local law enforcement will be out in full force this Halloween cracking down on drunk drivers with an aggressive Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. enforcement blitz.

That is why the MVA warns that if you intend to celebrate, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!  “Halloween should be a time for scary costumes, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating with kids,” said John Kuo, MVA Administrator.  “But unfortunately, Halloween has also become a very treacherous and deadly night of the year due to impaired driving.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 44 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 pm Oct. 31 to 5:59 am Nov. 1) involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a Blood Alcohol Concentration *BAC) of .08 or higher, which is illegal in every state.

For a safer Halloween weekend, MVA recommends these simple tips:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your keys;
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement;

Real-life Halloween nightmares are simple to avoid if you make smart decisions. Never drive drunk. Designate your sober driver in advance. No exceptions. No excuses.  Remember, Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.

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