Lake Elsinore Halloween Safety Tips: Stay Alert For Trick-Or-Treaters

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls are not the only things that go bump in the night on Halloween in Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and beyond. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office issued a "fang-tastic" reminder encouraging drivers to be extra careful as more children walk the neighborhood hunting for holiday treats.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office Deputy Isaac Ramirez discussed the importance of using common sense when getting behind the wheel on Halloween night. The heavily foot-trafficked holiday transforms every intersection into a possible scary spot for drivers and pedestrians. Drivers should stay sober or hire a rideshare, Ramirez advised.

"Driving under the influence can turn a spooktacular night into a real-life nightmare," he said. "If your night involves boos at a Halloween party, make sure you plan for a sober ride home. Even one drink can impair judgment."

Halloween night can be especially dangerous on our nation's roads due to parties, trick-or-treating, and other festivities, he said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA), adults between the ages of 21 and 34 had the highest percentage (55%) of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night in 2021.

Whether you are celebrating the spirit of Halloween or Día de Los Muertos, Riverside County Sheriff's Office offered the following tips for families to be as safe as possible and share the road safely:

Drivers

• Slow down and watch out for more foot traffic in residential neighborhoods.
• Take extra time looking for trick-or-treaters at intersections and entering/exiting driveways. Ghouls just want to have fun!
• Never drive distracted or impaired.
• If you are heading to a local bar, restaurant, or house party and plan to drink, bring a designated sober driver, use public transit or a ride-hailing service, or stay the night.

Parents and trick-or-treaters

• Make sure costumes are fit to prevent trips and falls.
• Decorate costumes and bags/buckets with reflective tape.
• Have kids use flashlights or glow sticks to make it easier for drivers to see them.
• 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. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

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