Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers and Pedestrians

Whether you’re a child or an adult, Halloween is a time for celebration. Many of us enjoy trick-or-treating with little ghouls and goblins, while others participate in activities geared toward adults, such as going to haunted houses, Halloween parties, or costume contests.

No matter the spooky activity you’re partaking in, you are bound to be out and about this Halloween. Unfortunately, this holiday can also be one of the most dangerous nights of the year for pedestrians—children are three times more likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year, according to federal highway safety data.

Here are a few simple safety tips for drivers and pedestrians to follow on this spooky holiday:

Safety Tips for Drivers on Halloween

1. Slow Down

Kids are excited about Halloween and may not be as careful crossing the road as they should be. We recommend driving slower than the speed limit to allow extra stopping time for rogue trick-or-treaters when in and around neighborhoods or on residential streets.

2. Eliminate Distractions

Avoiding distractions while driving is crucial to reducing the risk of accidents and injuries to you, pedestrians, or other drivers. Any activity that requires a driver to take their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road, such as changing GPS settings, making a phone call, or texting, may be considered a form of distracted driving and should be avoided.

3. Turn On Your Headlights

Keep your headlights on to make yourself visible to pedestrians and other drivers even if it isn’t dark out. If you have come to a complete stop or are waiting to pick someone up, turn on your hazard lights to help other drivers and pedestrians know your vehicle is parked.

4. Drive Sober

Part of what makes Halloween great is that it is not just for children. Many adults love to celebrate the holiday by going to costume parties or other fun festivities. Many adult Halloween parties involve drinking. Unfortunately, 44% of accidents that happen around Halloween are caused by drunk drivers. If you’re planning on drinking while out celebrating, make sure to have a designated driver.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians on Halloween

1. Don’t Trick-or-Treat Alone

It is recommended that children travel in groups and that those under the age of 12 have a parent with them.

2. Increase Visibility

Have your children incorporate reflective tape into their costume, choose a costume with light, bold colors, or have them carry a flashlight before heading out to trick-or-treat.

3. Follow Road Safety Rules

One of the easiest ways to stay safe on Halloween is by following local road safety rules. These rules include:

• Stay on the sidewalks.
• Never go between moving vehicles. 
• Never assume you (the pedestrian) has the right of way.
• Stop at the curb, look left, right, and left again before crossing.
• Listen for oncoming traffic.
• If there is no sidewalk, stay on the far right, facing oncoming traffic.
• Use designated crosswalks.

By taking these extra precautions, you can ensure that everyone has a safe Halloween.

In the unfortunate event that someone you love was involved in a pedestrian traffic accident, contact our office at (203) 331-8888 or visit Hirsch Andrade online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Connecticut attorney.