City of Hayward, CA
10/22/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/22/2026 17:53
For Immediate Release October 22, 2026 Officer Jessica Banuelos 510-293-7064/jessica.banuelos
For Immediate Release October 22, 2026
Officer Jessica Banuelos
510-293-7064/[email protected]
Boo - ze and Driving Don't Mix
Designate a sober driver this Halloween
Hayward, Calif. - This October 31, Hayward Police Department is reminding those who are celebrating this spooky season to have a designated sober driver or plan for a sober ride home.
"Halloween should be full of treats, not tragedies," Sergeant Rodney Johnson of the Hayward Police Department said. "If you plan to drink, make arrangements to use a designated sober driver, public transit or call a taxi or rideshare for a sober ride home. Halloween is spooky enough. Don't add a real scare to the night."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2024, one person was killed every 44 minutes in a drunk-driving crash on our nation's roads. In that same year, 1,311 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities occurred on California roads . Because of the seasonal festivities and late-night travels, those risks are heightened on Halloween night.
Hayward Police Department offers the following tips to be as safe as possible and share the road safely:
Drivers
Follow the posted speed limit. Slow down and watch out for more foot traffic in residential neighborhoods.
Take extra time looking for trick-or-treaters at intersections and when entering and exiting driveways.
Never drive distracted or impaired.
If you intend to drink, have a plan. Use a designated sober driver, public transit, call a taxi or rideshare service or stay the night.
Parents/Caregivers and Trick-or-Treaters
Make sure costumes fit to prevent trips and falls.
Be visible. Decorate costumes and bags, buckets or baskets with reflective tape and use flashlights or glow sticks to make it easier for drivers to see you.
Walk on sidewalks, when available. Avoid darting into the street or crossing between parked cars.
Stick to familiar, well-lit routes.
Look both ways before crossing the street.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
City of Hayward, CA published this content on October 22, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 22, 2026 at 23:54 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]