Halloween is slinking around the corner, and this year, it falls on a Friday, promising a weekend that blends screams and celebrations. With the heightened festivities, the Colorado State Patrol is sending a sobering reminder to those prepping their costumes and routes for trick-or-treating. Last year's ghastly jump in accidents, troopers responded to 31 crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists, a startling 40% increase over 2023, paints a chilling picture.
Col. Matthew C. Packard, the Chief of Colorado State Patrol, implores everyone to take safety to heart. "Pedestrians need to use crosswalks, obey traffic signals, and be visible to motorists. Motorists need to drive with the awareness that their vehicle will cause great damage to any pedestrian or bicyclist. There is no contest on who would suffer the most in a crash," he told the Colorado State Patrol. After the sun sets, the revelry begins, but with it comes a responsibility to ensure that ghouls and goblins of all sizes can enjoy the night with safety as their shield.
The spike in impaired driving incidents during last year's Halloween, which included 17 crashes and resulted in 34 drivers arrested for DUI, is a stern warning for this year's celebrations. As the anticipation builds for the weekend, Col. Packard preaches preparation. Before the party kicks into full gear, he advises, "Take the time now to plan what you will do when the party ends. Stay at the party hosts’ place, take a rideshare or use public transportation. There are many safe options and two scary options. Don’t get behind the wheel if you are impaired or be a passenger if your driver is drunk or high," as per Colorado State Patrol.
