OHIO — Halloween means that there will be a lot more foot traffic around neighborhoods than normal. 

What You Need To Know

  • Kids have an increased risk of being hit or killed by a car on Halloween

  • The holiday sees an influx of drunk drivers

  • AAA urges parents to adjust costumes to be more pedestrian friendly

  • Halloween is one of the top three days of the year for pedestrian injuries 

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car on Halloween than any other day. AAA hopes to combat these statistics by sharing advice that can keep kids, parents, pedestrians and drivers safe. 

  • It’s important that your child stays on the sidewalk and avoids the street 
  • Making sure kids can be seen at night with a flashlight, glow stick or reflective tape is recommended
  • Do not have kids cross between parked cars and make sure they use cross walks

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than 40% of Halloween crashes involve drunk drivers. AAA said that lives can be saved if people plan ahead.

“Adults are enjoying Halloween as much as children are,” said Kara Hitchens who serves as the manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA. “If you are a party goer and you're hanging out with friends, you know, and it involves alcohol, of course you want to be doubly safe. You want to make sure that you create a plan before you even go out as to how you're going to get back home so that you're not driving intoxicated.”

It's recommended that partygoers schedule a ride share or appoint a designated driver ahead of time. If you see someone about to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, authorities ask that you take their keys and either take them home or schedule them a ride home. 

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