COLUMBIA, S.C. - The state Department of Public Safety is working with local law enforcement at checkpoints across the state on Halloween in an effort to prevent people from driving drunk.

"Sadly, Halloween has become a holiday for young adults, often leading to drinking and driving," James Schweitzer, the department's director, said in a release Saturday. "When you couple that with child pedestrians, that can be a volatile mix on our roadways and in our neighborhoods."

Authorities can test drivers' blood-alcohol levels at the checkpoints.

The state Highway Patrol began a special enforcement effort in Greenville that will run through Dec. 31. Greenville leads the state in fatalities this year with 74, compared to 53 at this time last year.