Halloween Safety: How to Keep Trick-or-Treaters Safe on the Road

Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for kids, and one of the most dangerous for anyone on foot. Costumes, candy, and darkness bring thousands of children into neighborhood streets at the same time drivers are heading home or to parties. A few simple steps, for both families and drivers, can keep the night fun and safe.

Halloween by the numbers

The data shows why Halloween night calls for extra care:

• 2x the risk: children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle on Halloween than on any other day of the year, according to Safe Kids Worldwide.
• 43% higher: the risk of pedestrian deaths is 43% higher on Halloween than on other nights, based on a JAMA Pediatrics study of 42 years of federal crash data.
• 10x for young kids: children ages 4 to 8 are 10 times more likely to be hit by a vehicle on Halloween than on any other evening, according to the same research.
• Half involve alcohol: half of all crash deaths on Halloween night 2023 were alcohol-related, according to AAA.

This year, Halloween falls on a Saturday. AAA warns that weekend Halloweens bring more parties and a greater risk of impaired driving, while neighborhoods are full of families walking after dark.

Safety tips for parents and trick-or-treaters

A few minutes of preparation before heading out can prevent a serious accident. Talk with your kids about traffic safety before they get caught up in the excitement.

• Make costumes visible. Choose light colors when you can, or add reflective tape to dark costumes and treat bags.
• Bring light. Give each child a flashlight or glow sticks so drivers can see them.
• Use sidewalks. Where there are none, walk facing traffic and stay as far to the left as possible.
• Cross safely. Use crosswalks and corners, and never cross mid-block or between parked cars.
• Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street.
• Put phones and earbuds away while walking or supervising kids.
• Go with young children. Kids under 12 should trick-or-treat with an adult.
• Check masks and costumes. Make sure masks do not block vision and costumes are short enough to avoid tripping.

Safety tips for drivers

On Halloween, drive as if there is a trick-or-treater on every corner. Children are excited, hard to see in dark costumes, and may dart into the street without looking.

• Slow down in residential neighborhoods, especially in the early evening.
• Put the phone away and keep your full attention on the road.
• Turn your headlights on early so you can spot kids from farther away.
• Watch curbs, medians, and driveways, not just crosswalks.
• Back out carefully. Check behind your car for children before leaving a driveway.
• Plan a sober ride. If you are celebrating, arrange a designated driver or rideshare, and do not let friends drive impaired.
• Buckle everyone in, and remove bulky costumes or coats before buckling children into car seats.

If an accident happens

If a child or anyone on foot is hit by a car, these steps protect both their health and their rights:

1. Call 911 right away for medical help and police, even if the injuries seem minor.
2. Get medical care. Some injuries, like head injuries, do not show symptoms immediately.
3. Get the driver’s information, including their name, insurance, and license plate.
4. Take photos of the scene, the vehicle, the lighting, and any injuries.
5. Talk to witnesses and get their contact information, since neighbors and other parents may have seen what happened.
6. Keep records of medical visits, bills, and the police report number.
7. Be careful with insurance companies. Avoid giving recorded statements or accepting a quick settlement before talking to a lawyer.

Have a safe and happy Halloween

A little planning goes a long way toward keeping Halloween fun for everyone. Bright costumes, flashlights, safe crossings, and careful, sober driving can prevent most of the night’s accidents.

If you or someone you love is hurt on Halloween night, an attorney who handles car accident and personal injury cases can help you understand who is responsible and what coverage applies. You can search for personal injury attorneys in your city on Lawyer Up by location and case type.

Risk figures are from Safe Kids Worldwide, AAA, and a JAMA Pediatrics study of 42 years of federal crash data, as reported by Audacy. This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Laws vary by state, so talk with a licensed attorney about your situation.