Boo-ze and Driving Don’t Mix

This October 31, the Berkeley Police Department is reminding those who are celebrating this spooky season to have a designated sober driver or plan for a sober ride home. 

“Halloween should be full of treats, not tragedies,” Acting Sergeant Cesar Coria said. “If you plan to drink, make arrangements to use a designated sober driver, public transit or call a taxi or rideshare for a sober ride home. Halloween is spooky enough. Don’t add a real scare to the night.” 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2024, one person was killed every 44 minutes in a drunk-driving crash on our nation's roads. In that same year, 1,311 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities occurred on California roads. Because of the seasonal festivities and late-night travels, those risks are heightened on Halloween night. 

The Berkeley Police Department offers the following tips to be as safe as possible and share the road safely:

Drivers

• Follow the posted speed limit. Slow down and watch out for more foot traffic in residential neighborhoods.
• Take extra time looking for trick-or-treaters at intersections and when entering and exiting driveways.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.
• If you intend to drink, have a plan. Use a designated sober driver, public transit, call a taxi or rideshare service or stay the night.

Parents/Caregivers and Trick-or-Treaters 

• Make sure costumes fit to prevent trips and falls.
• Be visible. Decorate costumes and bags, buckets or baskets with reflective tape and use flashlights or glow sticks to make it easier for drivers to see you.
• Walk on sidewalks, when available. Avoid darting into the street or crossing between parked cars.
• Stick to familiar, well-lit routes.
• Look both ways before crossing the street.

The Berkeley Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.