Stay Safe on the Road this Halloween

There’s something fun for everyone on Halloween, from trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving to haunted houses and costume parties. Nearly a quarter of Americans say Halloween is their favorite holiday!

Halloween can be dangerous, though — especially on the road.

Fast Facts About Halloween Driver and Pedestrian Safety

• A 2019 study referencing reports by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the “relative risk of a pedestrian fatality was 43% higher on Halloween compared with control evenings.”
• Between 2015-2019, 126 people were killed on Halloween night (10/31, 6 pm – 11/1, 6 am) in drunk-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (per TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov).
• October, November, and December are the deadliest months for pedestrian fatalities.

Between increased foot traffic, low visibility, unpredictable fall weather conditions, and a rise in drunk driving, Halloween can be a particularly dangerous day for pedestrians and drivers alike. Anyone out celebrating the holiday — whether on foot or behind the wheel — should exercise caution on roadways.

Driver and Pedestrian Safety Tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Keep Halloween a safe holiday full of spooky fun by following these tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, adapted from NHTSA Offers Halloween Safety Tips. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov.

Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers

• Use caution while behind the wheel.
  • Slow down and be alert in residential areas.
  • Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
  • Eliminate distractions so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Drive sober or get pulled over.
  • Always designate a sober driver and plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night if you plan on celebrating Halloween with alcohol.
  • Use your community’s sober ride program or take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
• Watch out for your family, friends, and neighbors.
  • If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
  • If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make safe travel arrangements to where they are going.

Halloween Safety Tips for Pedestrians

• Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.
  • Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
• Keep kids safe.
  • Children out at night and under the age of 12 should have adult supervision.
  • Kids should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
  • Choose face paint when possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
  • Decorate costumes with reflective tape and have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights.
• Remember, everyone is a pedestrian.
  • • Always cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
    • Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross

The above is an excerpt adapted from the article, “NHTSA Offers Halloween Safety Tips.” For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov

This post was originally published on merchantsgroup.com on October 29, 2021.