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Remember: Safety first on Halloween

Halloween can be one of the deadliest nights of the year for both pedestrians and motorists. When you combine the increased number of families trick-or-treating with the risk of cell phone distraction while driving or walking as well as potentially impaired partygoers behind the wheel, it makes for a frightening combination.

Other Resources

Halloween Safety and Safe Kids Worldwide

Pedestrian Safety at Safe Kids Worldwide

Pedestrian Safety at NTSA

Watch our AAA Pedestrian Safety PSA

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halloween safety

Know the facts

Halloween is meant to be scary, but not when it comes to driving safety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the number of deaths among young pedestrians (ages 5-14) is four times higher on Halloween evening than on any other evening of the year. Pedestrian fatalities on Halloween often involve an impaired driver. Several factors contribute to the increased risk of pedestrian injuries:

  • Fewer daylight hours 
  • Distracted driving 
  • More pedestrians in the neighborhoods 
  • Trick-or-treaters crisscrossing streets 
  • Motorists traveling to and from Halloween events

Follow these Halloween safety tips from AAA

young woman driving a car.

Motorists

  • Drive slower through neighborhoods. Driving five miles per hour slower than the posted speed limit will give you extra time to react to children who dart out in front of you. 
  • Avoid distractions while driving, such as checking social media, sending a text message, and talking on the phone. 
  • Drive sober. Identify a safe ride home if you plan on celebrating. Driving impaired is not worth the risk. 
  • Yield to pedestrians. Children may not stop for your approaching car because they do not see it, or they do not understand how to safely cross the street. 
  • No passing. Do not pass stopped vehicles, as the driver may be dropping off children or stopping for trick-or-treaters you cannot yet see. 
  • Turn your headlights on. Even if it is still daylight out, this helps you see children approaching your car.
parents taking young children trick or treating.

Parents and other adults caring for children

  • If using social media, post pictures and updates before or after you go trick-or-treating. Avoid checking your phone while walking or supervising children. 
  • Walk with your children as they go door to door. Be sure to show them safe places to cross the street. 
  • Have children carry a glow stick or flashlight to help them see and be seen by drivers.

Great news! AAA members enjoy fantastic discounts with preferred partners, including savings on Halloween costumes and safety devices. Take advantage of these exciting benefits! Learn More

children taking candy from a bowl while trick or treating.

Trick-or-treaters

  • Cross the street using traffic signals and crosswalks if available. Look both ways before crossing and keep an eye on the road while you are crossing. 
  • Always walk facing traffic if there are no sidewalks available and stay as far to the left as possible. 
  • Wear light-colored clothing or costumes with reflective material or tape for the best visibility. 
  • Stay in familiar neighborhoods. Only visit homes that have the porch light on and never go into a stranger’s house.