WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Whether your Halloween plans entail a trip to a ghoulish gala or a chance to transform into your favorite celebrity for the night, GEICO urges drivers to remember the following tips to help stay safe on the road.
Drinking and driving is a frightening combo
Driving impaired – by alcohol or marijuana – will cause loss of coordination and will cloud your judgment. That could put you at a heightened risk for an untimely visit to the ER. To help avoid that, GEICO recommends:
- Arrange a safe ride for the evening: Plenty of options are available, including public transportation, a designated sober driver, rideshare services or cabs.* It’s worth spending a few extra dollars for a safe ride home rather than the cost of a DUI. DUI costs can swell into the thousands according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Take your time: Your body can only process small amounts of alcohol at a time. Remember to pace yourself, and take time to grab a bite to eat and some water in between alcoholic beverages.
- Look after others: If you're hosting a Halloween party, keep an eye on your guests. Remember that you, the host, could face charges if a partygoer drives drunk and causes an accident with property damage and injuries.
Stay on high alert for pedestrians
Trick-or-treaters may visit your neighborhood in droves, and some could be tough to spot if they're wearing a dark-colored costume. If you're driving at this time, be prepared:
- Obey the speed limit: Stick to the speed limit, or even below it. It will give you more time to react if someone steps out from between two cars or another unexpected spot.
- Pay attention to crosswalks: Pedestrians who have entered a crosswalk, or who have a walk symbol at a stoplight, have the right of way. Drivers must yield to them according to NHTSA. Even if a pedestrian continues crossing after a walk symbol has expired, a driver still needs to wait.
- Leave distractions out of the driver's seat: Sending a Count Dracula GIF might be a fun Halloween surprise, but doing it while behind the wheel is a dangerous move. Phones and all related distractions can cause drivers to miss objects and pedestrians – such as trick-or-treaters stepping out into the street.
For more safe driving tips, visit GEICO's Safe Driving Resources page.
*In the Washington Metro area, people can enter the code DCHALLOWEEN in their Lyft app for a free ride home up to $15 from Saturday, Oct. 28 at 10 p.m. until Sunday, Oct. 29 at 4 a.m. as part of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program's SoberRide initiative. The offer is valid for the first 1,500 Lyft passengers who use the code. You may find similar services where you live.
