Lehigh Valley Regional DUI Task Force Reminds Halloween Partiers to Designate a Sober Driver

LEHIGH VALLEY, PA (October 25, 2007) – The Lehigh Valley Regional DUI Task Force is reminding those who choose to imbibe in alcohol this Halloween weekend to please designate a sober driver.

"We want people to realize buzzed driving is drunk driving," Task Force Chairman William D. McQuilken said. "Having a few drinks and then driving is unsafe. It could land you in jail, injured or worse."

The "buzzed driver" is one who drinks too much to safely operate a motor vehicle, but does not consider himself/herself a hazard on the roadway because he/she believes the drinking is "moderate."

Police will be aggressively looking for drivers under the influence this Halloween weekend, and are coupling enforcement with education activities to help prevent driving under the influence.

Along with the various enforcement activities that include sobriety checkpoints, DUI roving patrols, and "Cops in Shops" programs, members of the Task Force will be educating the community of the dangers of driving while drunk.

The Task Force encourages everyone to take care of friends, family and themselves at Halloween parties by following these simple guidelines:

1. Do not let someone who has been drinking drive. Arrange for him or her to sleep in your home or to ride with a sober driver;
2. Provide your guests with an attractive selection of non-alcoholic beverages. Remember that about one-third of all adults in the U.S. abstain from drinking alcohol completely for a variety of reasons. Remember, too, that informed, health-conscious adults whom you know to drink on occasion may prefer non-alcoholic beverages if they have an option;
3. Never serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21, for whom it is an illegal drug. Remember that your responsibility for underage guests drinking lasts beyond the time they are in your home. Remember, too, that alcohol-related car crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-to 24-year-olds;
4. Provide your guests with nutritious food. Eating will slow alcohol's effects;
5. Appoint a bartender to monitor guests' drinking and serve measured, standard drinks rather than doubles or "holiday specials." Guests can better control their drinking when they are drinking amounts with which they are familiar;
6. Do not serve alcohol to an intoxicated guest. Offer him or her a non-alcoholic drink, but remember that nothing can "sober up" a person immediately. It takes the human body approximately two hours to metabolize each ounce of alcohol; coffee or a cold shower can only create a wide-awake drunk;
7. Choose fruit juices instead of carbonated mixers. Carbonation speeds alcohol absorption;
8. Be sure that drinking does not become the primary focus or activity of your party;
9. Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends.

The Task Force is comprised of PennDOT, members of law enforcement, the business community and health care representatives to raise public awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence, speeding, and seat belt usage throughout the Lehigh Valley.

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