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A very scary, real Halloween warning

October 28, 2016

One of the scariest times of the year, when monsters, witches, ghouls and goblins roam our streets, is also one of the most dangerous times of the year to be on the roads. Halloween is right up there with New Year’s Eve when it comes to nighttime partying. Unfortunately many drivers get behind the wheel with more than just a costume on.

Trying to limit the number of people who drive while impaired by alcohol or any other drug, police officers will be out 100 strong on Saturday night, Oct. 29. They will be conducting statewide checkpoints at five places, including one each in Rehoboth Beach and Seaford. No secret, no trap. Delaware’s Office of Highway Safety has spread the word through lots of media. Officers will be out. Lots of drivers will be checked. Checkpoint locations have been chosen because the state expects an increase in drinking and driving in those areas.

Lisa Flowers, spokesperson, said Halloween is a big time for drinking and having fun. That goes for drivers and pedestrians, she said, “and we want there to be ample opportunities for all to be reminded that drinking and driving is unacceptable and dangerous.”

In Delaware this year there have already been 34 deaths attributed to impaired driving and 13 more that investigations may show involve impaired driving.

Statistics and facts provided indicate that drivers with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent - the legal threshold for alcohol-impaired driving - are four times more likely to be involved in a crash than those with a 0.00 percent blood alcohol level. So far this year there have been 3,200 arrests in Delaware for driving under the influence.

Those arrests come with a high price tag. Required alcohol counseling alone can cost $950, while fines, court costs and attorney fees can run the total tab to anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000.

With ride options including buses, taxis, Uber, Lyft and designated drivers, there’s just no reason why people can’t enjoy Halloween responsibly. Don’t take the huge chance of getting behind the wheel drunk or high.

  • Editorials are considered and written by Cape Gazette Editorial Board members, including Publisher Chris Rausch, Editor Jen Ellingsworth, News Editor Nick Roth and reporters Ron MacArthur and Chris Flood. 

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