CENTRAL VALLEY, Calif. (KFSN) — It’s the spookiest day of the year, and as neighborhoods fill with Trick-or-Treating children, drivers on the road are being urged to exercise extra caution.
“Even in areas where houses may seem more spread apart, still look out for pedestrians. Our ghosts and goblins are our most precious possessions out there. We want to make sure they enjoy themselves, get their treats, and not too many tricks from bad drivers,” said California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Salas.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has all available officers on patrol statewide as part of their 12-hour Max-Enforcement period. Last year, over 120 people were arrested on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The CHP also investigated 500 crashes during this time, 90 of which involved impaired drivers. These incidents caused many injuries and claimed two lives.
“It’s alarming to us, and it should be alarming to our community. But again, we’re just trying to keep everyone safe, spreading the message of responsibility, and making sure we watch out for those pedestrians,” Officer Salas explained.
AAA warns that Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for both pedestrians and drivers. This year, the risks are even higher since Halloween falls on a Friday, a night typically associated with increased traffic and festivities.
People are encouraged to plan ahead and be prepared for more traffic than usual. “Time pressure is definitely one of the biggest factors for accidents. No matter where you’re going tonight, give yourself plenty of extra time so you’re not rushing. Plan for delays and allocate extra travel time. That’ll help keep everyone safe — other drivers and pedestrians alike,” said Julian Paredes, a spokesperson with AAA.
AAA also reminds everyone that impaired driving and distracted driving remain among the leading causes of crashes, especially on busy nights like Halloween.
The CHP Max-Enforcement period will continue through tomorrow morning to help keep roads safe during this festive time. Stay alert, drive responsibly, and have a safe Halloween!
https://abc30.com/post/chp-12-hour-max-enforcement-period-kicks-off-halloween-night/18096673/
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