On October 31, as Halloween celebrations take place across La Quinta and Coachella, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to plan ahead for a safe evening. The department is reminding partygoers and anyone out for festivities to arrange for a sober driver or plan alternative transportation.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, impaired driving remains a serious risk during Halloween. Deputy DIX stated, “As families and children celebrate Halloween, it’s important for drivers to do their part in keeping our streets safe. If you plan on celebrating, make sure you have a plan to use a designated driver, public transit or call a taxi or rideshare for a sober ride home. Driving impaired, even for a short distance, puts everyone at risk.”
National data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that adults aged 21 to 34 accounted for the majority of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night between 2019 and 2023. In 2023, someone died every 42 minutes in a drunk-driving crash nationwide.
To address these risks, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office will deploy additional officers from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Halloween night, focusing on identifying and stopping drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The department also encourages the public to share the road responsibly and follow safety tips, whether driving or accompanying trick-or-treaters.
For more information, the public can contact the Media Information Bureau or visit joinrso.org for career opportunities with the Sheriff’s Office.
