The Arlington County Police Department, in partnership with the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), will host a Halloween anti-drunk driving event to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. The event is scheduled for Friday, October 31 at the intersection of N. Hudson Street and Wilson Boulevard, starting at 8:00 p.m., and is open to the public.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 2019 and 2023, there were 198 fatalities nationwide in alcohol-related crashes on Halloween night involving drivers with a blood alcohol level of .01 or higher. Adults aged 21 to 34 accounted for 54% of those fatalities.
The Arlington County Police Department urges residents to plan ahead if they intend to drink during Halloween festivities. “Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even after just one alcoholic drink, make the smart choice — designate a sober driver, or plan ahead to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.”
To support safe transportation options, WRAP’s SoberRide program will offer free Lyft rides home (up to $15) from 4:00 p.m. on October 31 until 4:00 a.m. on November 1. Arlington Transit Buses will also provide free bus service from 6:00 p.m. on October 31 until approximately 1:00 a.m. on November 1; more information about routes and schedules can be found on their website.
The police department also advises community members to intervene if someone they know attempts to drive while impaired: “Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.” They remind everyone that “Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving,” encouraging people seeking more information to visit the NHTSA website.
To accommodate the outreach event, N. Hudson Street between Wilson Boulevard and 13th Street N. will be closed from approximately 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., with temporary “No Parking” signs posted in the area. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed; motorists can check an online portal for real-time updates on vehicle status or call Arlington County’s non-emergency number at 703-558-2222 for assistance.
Arlington County has one public school district that enrolled over twenty-seven thousand students during the most recent school year https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home. Washington Liberty High School had the highest enrollment among local schools during this period https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home. The majority ethnic group among students was white, followed by Hispanic students https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home. Enrollment numbers have seen only slight changes compared with previous years https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home.
