By Allison Peck / North Platte Post
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — As families get ready for a night of trick-or-treating, local law enforcement agencies are reminding everyone to keep safety a top priority — both on foot and behind the wheel.
The North Platte Police Department says additional officers will be on patrol throughout Halloween night, focusing on traffic violations and impaired drivers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2019 to 2023, 176 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver, including 30 pedestrians.
“If your plans for this Halloween include a potion involving alcohol or drugs, make plans for a sober ride home,” police said in a statement.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office also shared safety reminders for parents and drivers. If children are trick-or-treating without an adult, families are encouraged to go over a familiar route beforehand, talk through common safety situations such as avoiding rides from strangers, and remind children to stay with their group at all times.
The Sheriff’s Office is also urging drivers to slow down and stay alert for children crossing the street, especially in neighborhoods and residential areas. Motorists are asked to be cautious when pulling into driveways and alleyways and to watch for trick-or-treaters wearing dark costumes.
Both agencies are reminding drivers to plan a sober ride home and to help keep neighborhoods safe for everyone celebrating this Halloween.