Nightmares start with Unsafe Driving – BAT Mobile to Deploy over Halloween weekend

Traffic Safety Leaders: “Nightmares Start With Unsafe Driving” – Extra DUI Patrols and BAT Mobile to Deploy During Halloween Weekend

Ahead of the Halloween weekend, traffic safety advocates and law enforcement leaders teamed up in Providence today to remind drivers that nightmares start with unsafe driving. Costumed comfort dogs K-9 Levi from Barrington and K-9 Luke from Middletown joined the event to remind people that keeping Halloween safe for children and families is the weekend’s focus.

“Impaired driving is an uninvited guest this Halloween. We want everyone to enjoy their time with family and friends but be mindful of how the decisions they make can often lead to tragic results,” said Rhode Island Department of Transportation Interim Director Robert Rocchio. “While our attention is focused on Halloween, we need to be more vigilant about safe driving near pedestrians. And pedestrians need to be more careful walking along and crossing streets so we can all stay safe this Halloween and beyond.”

“With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, we expect even more children and families to be out enjoying the holiday,” said Chief Ryan G. Duffy, Vice President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and Chief of the Newport Police Department. “We urge motorists to slow down and stay alert, especially when and where the trick-or-treaters are out. If you are going to use cannabis or alcohol, make plans for a safe ride home.”

Rhode Island Department of Transportation Interim Director Robert Rocchio

“Halloween should be a fun and memorable night for families, and our priority is making sure everyone gets home safely,” said Commander Timothy O’Hara of the Providence Police Department. “Providence police officers will be out across the city to help keep our neighborhoods safe, but we all have a role to play. We urge drivers to slow down, stay alert, and put their phones away, and remind families and trick-or-treaters to use sidewalks, cross safely, and stay aware of their surroundings. A few extra precautions can make all the difference in keeping Halloween safe for everyone.”

“Halloween should be a night for pretending to be frightened; it is not meant to be a night that turns into someone’s worst nightmare,” said Cathy Andreozzi, Founder of the Tori Lynn Andreozzi Foundation. “The choices we make behind the wheel this Halloween can turn squeals of delight into screams of horror. Remember to be safe; slow down, stay alert, put the phone away, and don’t drive impaired.

“Our future is a world where every night is as lively and walkable as Halloween, but making that reality requires drivers to step up. This Halloween, protect our trick-or-treaters: stay off the roads if you can, and if you can’t, drive well below the speed limit, eliminate all distractions, and always be fully prepared to stop. The safety of our streets is in your hands,” said Nicole O’Loughlin, Political Director, Providence Streets Coalition.

BAT Mobile to Deploy Tonight in West Warwick

Tonight, the West Warwick Police Department will host the BAT Mobile in collaboration with the Warwick, East Greenwich, Providence, and the Rhode Island State Police. The BAT Mobile will be located at Cardi’s Furniture at 1681 Quaker Lane in West Warwick from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M.

Impaired driving

The first offense for driving under the influence of liquor or drugs carries several penalties:

• Possible jail sentence of up to one year at the ACI.
• Mandatory license suspension from three to eighteen months.
• Mandatory community service from 10 to 60 hours.
• Fines of not less than $100, nor more than $500
• Fees can easily reach a few thousand dollars.

Rhode Island law requires you to submit to a chemical test of your blood, breath, or urine to determine the chemical content of your body fluids or breath.

If you refuse this testing, certain penalties can be imposed, including the following:

• For a first offense, your Rhode Island driver’s license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state can be suspended for six months to one year or modified to permit operation in connection with an ignition interlock device for a period specified by law; a fine from $200 to $500 can be imposed; and you can be ordered to perform 10 to 60 hours of community service and attend a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment.

• If you have had one or more previous offenses within the past five years, your refusal to submit to a chemical test of breath or urine at this time can have criminal penalties, including incarceration of up to six months for a second offense and up to one year for a third or subsequent offense, and can carry increased license suspension or ignition interlock period, fines, and community service.

Make this a SAFE Halloween – for all!

Photo – top: Commander Timothy O’Hara of the Providence Police Department