The most important Carson City Halloween message you’ll ever read is right here

With Nevada Day festivities Saturday, Halloween trick or treating in Carson City is celebrated Friday. It’s different, sure, but that’s how we do things here in the capital city. With that in mind, drinking and driving can be a ghastly decision that can end up being more of a trick than a treat. The witches’ brew that you consume can lead to a frightening crash when you choose to drive afterwards.

Using your fangs to pop open a cold one before flying off to your next holiday party may seem like a good idea until you wake up the next morning and realize that your life has turned to ashes due to a crash.

Wearing a costume will not disguise the fact that you are operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Law enforcement is well trained in detecting drivers who are under the influence. Chocolate gold coins will not bail you out of jail.

Spirits of all kinds will be out during Halloween but overindulgence of the liquid kind could put you in the grave. Avoid this by designating a sober driver, call a cab or leave your keys with the host of the party and spend the night.

Even a headless horseman knows better than to drink and ride. Stay safe, drink responsibly and don’t drink and drive.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Department of Transportation and Nevada Department of Public Safety, Highway Patrol are reminding drivers and pedestrians to be safe on the road this Halloween and over the Nevada Day weekend.

There have been a total of four traffic deaths and 304 crashes during the past two Halloween days in Nevada.

For enhanced safety, NDOT and NHP reminds drivers and pedestrians to always focus on and share the road. Pedestrians should cross the street legally, making eye contact with drivers and waiting for drivers to stop before crossing. Pedestrians should also make themselves visible, whether wearing a reflective costume on Halloween Day or reflective gear on other days.

Drivers should always watch for pedestrians and yield when necessary. This is particularly true Friday night in Carson City, when young trick-or-treaters are out in force. Drivers are also reminded to never drive impaired. Drunk and impaired drivers are one of the greatest hazards on Halloween. Please make sure your children do not ride with anyone who has been drinking. If you are planning to drink yourself, please choose a designated driver in advance to take you home.

Overall, there have been 250 traffic deaths in Nevada this year, 24 more fatalities than the same time last year.

Traffic safety information is available at www.zerofatalitiesnv.com.

Drivers
— Use caution while behind the wheel.
— Slow down and be alert in residential areas.
— Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
— Eliminate distractions so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
— Drive sober or get pulled over.
— Always designate a sober driver and plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night if you plan on celebrating Halloween with alcohol.
— Use your community’s sober ride program or take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
— Watch out for your family, friends, and neighbors.
— If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
— If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make safe travel arrangements to where they are going.

Pedestrians
— Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.
— Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
— Keep kids safe.
— Children out at night and under the age of 12 should have adult supervision.
— Kids should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
— Choose face paint when possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
— Decorate costumes with reflective tape and have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights.
— Remember, everyone is a pedestrian.
— Always cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
— Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.