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Nearly 40 percent of fatal crashes nationally on Halloween night involve a drunk driver, one-third of those crash fatalities involve a pedestrian and fatal injuries nearly double when the holiday falls on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, as it does this year.
On Halloween, motorists need to be especially vigilant between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight, when pedestrians are most vulnerable. As a result, AAA Northeast advises drivers to slow down to watch for trick-or-treaters who may cross between parked cars or mid-block.
Because Halloween has evolved into a popular adult holiday, AAA also recommends party-going adults designate a sober driver to take them home at the end of the night.
To help make the roads safer this Halloween, AAA offers these tips:
- Watch for children: Excited trick-or-treaters, often in dark costumes, may not pay attention to traffic and cross mid-block or between parked cars.
- Slow down: According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the faster you go, the more apt a driver is to hit a pedestrian. That walker is twice as likely to be killed if they’re hit by a car traveling at 35 mph compared to one traveling at 25 mph.
- Drive sober: Alcohol-impaired drivers comprise about one-third of all motor vehicle deaths. This translates into an average of one death every 45 minutes.
A few simple steps also can help parents keep their trick-or-treaters safe:
- Trick-or-treat together: AAA recommends parents accompany children at least until the age of 12.
- Make a plan: Review safety precautions and plan your route. Remind children never to cross the street mid-block or between parked cars.
- Check costumes: Choose disguises that don't obstruct vision; opt for non-toxic face paint instead of masks. Adjust the length of costumes to avoid tripping and add reflective material or tape to keep kids visible.
- Buckle up: If driving trick-or-treaters between neighborhoods, use appropriate car seats and have children exit and enter on the passenger side of the vehicle.
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