By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The Hays Police Department is giving a advice to ensure Halloween night does not become someone’s nightmare.

“What is particularly dangerous about this night is that you have a an increase in pedestrian traffic with children out trick-or-treating and an increase in drinking by adults celebrating Halloween, making for a dangerous combination,” said HPD Chief Don Scheibler, adding extra patrols will be on the lookout for drunk drivers Friday evening.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration almost half (48 percent) of all crash fatalities on Halloween night involve a drunk driver.

The Hays Police Departments recommends these tips for a safe Halloween:
• Before the festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.
• Always designate a sober driver
• If you are drunk, take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use Safe Ride
• 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 impaired, take their keys and help them make safe travel arrangements.