Halloween is much-anticipated holiday for both children and adults, alike. Picking out a costume, trick-or-treating, visiting haunted houses and attending parties – what’s not fun about that?! Unfortunately, each year, accidents cast a dark shadow on the holiday revelry. In fact, one scary statistic is that Halloween is THE deadliest day for children. According to the National Safety Council, child pedestrians are 2x more likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
While we don’t mean to spook you, your safety is important to all of us at Sheeley Law. Please take a moment to read our blog, which sheds light on the biggest risks and offers important tips to ensure that you and your loved ones have a safe and enjoyable Halloween.
Halloween Pedestrian Accidents:
Accidents involving pedestrians pose the biggest threat, especially for children. Trick-or-treating at dusk or night, weather, poor visibility, dark costumes, dimly lit streets, lack of street-crossing safety, and the consumption of alcohol are all factors that contribute to an average of 5.5 fatalities each year on October 31, which is more than double the average number of fatalities for other days. Young and inexperienced drivers should be particularly vigilant as they account for nearly one-third of all fatal accidents involving child pedestrians on Halloween.[1]
Halloween Vehicle Accidents:
It isn’t just pedestrians who face greater risks on Halloween. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 48% of fatal crashes during Halloween weekend involved a driver who was intoxicated over the .08 BAC legal limit. By comparison, during the rest of the year, 31% of accidents are caused by drivers under the influence.
It is important that you never drink and drive, and especially on Halloween. Each city and town will have police focused on detecting and preventing drinking and driving throughout the weekend. Halloween can be great fun, but it can also be deadly when someone makes the wrong decision to drink and drive.
Halloween Slip and Fall Injuries:
Slip-and-fall accidents are incredibly common on Halloween. Costumes and masks that restrict your movement and visibility are one of the biggest culprits that can result in broken bones and head injuries, but so are dark streets and walkways, poorly maintained properties, and slippery surfaces.
Tips for Trick-or-Treaters:
Make sure costumes have light or reflective gear and avoid masks that obstruct vision – visibility is critical.
Venture out in groups, when possible. More people are more visible to drivers.
Trick-or-treaters should always walk, not run, to the next house.
Stay on familiar, well-lit sidewalks and avoid using shortcuts through yards or alleys.
Always cross the street on a crosswalk and remind children to always look both ways before crossing.
Keep an eye out for cars that are turning or backing up, and do not walk between parked cars, as it can be difficult to see oncoming traffic.
Avoid distracted walking – put away smartphones and other devices while trick-or-treating.
Tips for Drivers:
We all play an important role in keeping our children safe. Even if you’re not trick-or-treating, you need be on high alert for children, especially on Halloween. Below is friendly reminder of rules to follow:
Drive at or below the speed limit in residential areas.
Turn headlights on early to increase visibility, and take extra care when entering or exiting driveways or going through intersections.
Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.
Never drink and drive! If you are partying on Halloween, plan ahead and designate a driver, schedule a rideshare or call a loved one who hasn’t been drinking to pick you up.
We encourage responsible driving every day of the year, and especially this Halloween as costumed children fill the streets. If you or a loved one are injured this Halloween, contact Rhode Island personal injury and DUI lawyer, Ann Sheeley, at 401-619-5555 or by emailing asheeley@sheeleylaw.com.
Attorney Sheeley has more than 25 years of experience and a proven track record of helping pedestrian, car/truck, motorcycle and bicycle accident victims obtain maximum compensation for their losses and suffering.