Extra DUI Patrols Coming to Sonoma County on Halloween Night

Halloween is one of the deadliest nights for drunk driving, and 52 percent of fatal crashes on Oct. 31 involve an impaired driver, federal officials say.

Local authorities hoping to keep drunk drivers off the roadways will be out in force Thursday night as part of increased DUI enforcement in Sonoma County.

“The scariest part of Halloween is not the spooky costumes and scary pranks, it’s the impaired drivers," a press release quoted Petaluma Police Lt. Tim Lyons as saying. "All too often, partygoers don’t plan ahead and choose to drive impaired, but a costume can’t disguise drunk driving."

According to stats from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Halloween is the deadliest night of the year for fatal accidents involving child pedestrians.

The increased DUI enforcement on Halloween night is funded by a federal grant distributed by the state; it's led by the Petaluma Police Department, but also involves officials in Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Sonoma, the CHP, local colleges and the county sheriff's department.

Officials offered these tips for staying safe Thursday:

• Before the Halloween festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night. 
• Always designate a sober driver. 
• If you are impaired, take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation. 
• Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home. 
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement. 
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make safe travel arrangements to where they are going. If you think you have to ask if they are okay to drive, you already know they’re not.