Be smart when partying this Halloween

Halloween isn't just about trick-or-treating. It's also about parties.

The Lehigh Valley DUI/Highway Safety Task Force is reminding those who choose to imbibe over the Halloween weekend to please designate a driver.

"We want people to realize buzzed driving is drunk driving," Task Force Chairman William D. McQuilken said. "Having a few drinks and then driving is dangerous. It endangers your life and the lives of everyone else on the roadway."

There were 1,560 total crashes on the weekend prior to, during and following Oct. 31, 2013. Of those total crashes 461 of them were alcohol-related.

Police will be aggressively looking for drivers under the influence, and are coupling enforcement with education activities to help prevent driving under the influence.

The task force encourages everyone to take care of friends, family and themselves at Halloween parties by following these simple guidelines:

• Don't let someone who has been drinking drive.

• Provide your guests with a selection of non-alcoholic beverages.

• Never serve alcohol to anyone under 21.

• Provide your guests with nutritious food. Eating will slow alcohol's effects.

• Appoint a bartender to monitor guests' drinking and serve measured, standard drinks.

• Do not serve alcohol to an intoxicated guest. Offer him or her a non-alcoholic drink, but remember that nothing can "sober up" a person immediately.

• Choose fruit juices instead of carbonated mixers. Carbonation speeds alcohol absorption.

• Be sure that drinking does not become the primary focus of your party.

• Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends.