The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently publicizing their Halloween-themed anti-drunk driving campaign. Although Halloween can be a fun-filled family holiday with plenty of candy and costumes, it’s not without risk on roadways in North Carolina and across the nation. According to the NHTSA, Halloween drunk-driving crash fatalities are on the rise. In 2011, there were 17 Halloween drunk-driving fatalities on U.S. roadways. In 2015, there were 55 deaths. The number of drunk driving fatalities on Halloween has been steadily increasing on an annual basis. This year, the NHTSA is reminding partygoers that buzzed driving is drunk driving too.
Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
A primary theme of this year’s Halloween anti-drunk driving campaign is that buzzed driving is drunk driving too. Buzzed driving happens when somebody has been drinking alcohol and thinks they are “okay” to drive, just because they’re not falling-down drunk. A person can still be alcohol-impaired, even if they’re not stumbling around. In many cases, even one drink can be one too many. If you plan on celebrating with alcohol at all, you should find a safe ride home. The NHTSA recommends making a plan before you engage in any partying. This way, you won’t have to worry about how you’re going to get home at the end of the night.
Just The Facts on Halloween Drunk Driving Crashes
- On Halloween night from 2011-2015, there were 172 people killed in drunk-driving crashes in the U.S.
- On Halloween night from 2011-2015, 45 percent of all motor vehicle deaths involved drunk driving.
- In 2015, there were eight pedestrians and 47 vehicle occupants killed in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween.
- The 21 to 34-year-old age group accounted for the most fatalities (64 percent) in drunk-driving related crashes on Halloween night in 2015.
Asheville Drunk Driving Accidents
Sadly, an increase in drunk driving accidents are often associated with popular holidays and holiday weekends. Drunk-driving accidents on Halloween are especially concerning due to the high volume of child pedestrians in residential areas during afternoon and evening hours. If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident in Asheville or in any of the surrounding Western North Carolina communities, contact the skilled and proven team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 828-279-7799 for a free case consultation today.