Children are more than twice as likely to be struck by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
On the 31st of October each year, millions and millions of children in the United States celebrate Halloween by walking door to door in their neighborhoods collecting candy from neighbors.
Halloween is an enjoyable time of year; however, it poses significant risks when it comes to pedestrian accidents in Maryland, Virginia, and the District. While following safety tips helps keep young trick-or-treaters safe, injuries can still happen.
Most pedestrian fatalities on Halloween take place between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m. The riskiest hour is between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. as the sun sets and increasing darkness overlaps with children being out on the street.
October is designated National Pedestrian Safety Month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Especially during this time of year, it is critical for drivers to be alert for pedestrians and cyclists. According to NHTSA, in the United States, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2023, a 4% decrease from the 7,593 pedestrian fatalities in 2022.
Halloween Specific Factors Influencing the Risks
Halloween activities occur at dusk, masks restrict peripheral vision, costumes limit visibility, street-crossing safety is neglected, and partygoers who are behind the wheel are impaired by alcohol, leading to Halloween being the most unsafe time of the year for children on our streets.
Weekend vs. Weekday
Friday is the deadliest day for Halloween, with 22% more fatal crashes compared to an average Friday. Halloween car accident statistics show the most dangerous days are also Tuesdays (2nd), Sundays (3rd), and Thursdays (4th).
While there is an increase in fatal crashes happening on Halloween nights versus those nights in general, the weekdays are incredibly more dangerous than the weekend.
| Day of the Week | Avg. Daily Fatal Crashes* | Fatal Crash Difference (+/-) | Fatal Crash Difference (%) | |||
| Monday-Friday | 1,690 | +275 | 16.3% | |||
| Saturday-Sunday | 686 | +36 | 5.3% | |||
| * Based on corresponding day of the week (Saturday, Monday, etc.) fatal crash average | ||||||
Things to Remember
- 18% of the people who die in fatal crashes on Halloween are children.
- Pedestrians have a 50% higher chance of dying on Halloween than on the average day.
- Weekday Halloweens have 11% more fatal crashes than weekend Halloweens.
- Over 149,000 Americans signed a petition to permanently move Halloween to Saturday.
Statistics sourced from Auto Insurance.org.
Safety from the National and State Level
Multiple factors influence these numbers, including broad public awareness of Halloween, parental supervision of younger children, and improved safety practices. Halloween highlights the deficiencies on our roads, such as a lack of sidewalks, unsafe street crossings, insufficient areas for children to play in neighborhoods, and failure in traffic and automobile safety, such as excessive speed and alcohol. National Safety Council.
Event-specific interventions to prevent child fatalities include:
- Traffic calming and automated speed enforcement
- Improving pedestrian visibility by limiting on-street parking and incorporating reflective patches into clothing
- Improved media programs highlighting the dangers.
More cities have been designating traffic-free zones for Halloween night, barring cars entirely in a fresh sign the so-called “open,” “slow,” or “shared” streets programs.
Safety Tips for Parents
The state of Maryland offers these Halloween safety tips:
- Choose a costume that won’t cause safety hazards; check to be sure all costumes, wigs, and accessories are fire-resistant.
- Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags, or give children glow sticks.
- Opt for nontoxic Halloween makeup instead of masks that can obscure vision; for makeup, always test a small area first to see if any irritation develops.
- Have a responsible adult accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds.
- If older children are going out alone, plan and review a route that is acceptable to you.
- Agree on a specific time children should return home.
- Instruct children to travel on and in familiar, well-lit areas and stay with their friends.
Safety Tips for Motorists
The National Safety Council offers these additional safety tips for parents – and anyone who plans to be on the road during trick-or-treat hours. Halloween Safety- National Safety Council
Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
- At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
- Discourage new and inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.
Maryland and Virginia Are Contributory Negligence States
The contributory negligence rule can significantly affect the outcome of personal injury claims. From the perspective of a pedestrian, this means that if the pedestrian is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, they may be completely barred from recovering damages, regardless of how much fault lies with the other party. This could mean the difference between a successful claim and a complete dismissal.
If a pedestrian crosses the street outside of a crosswalk and is struck by a vehicle, even if the driver was distracted or speeding, the fault of the pedestrian for failure to cross at the designated crosswalk might be considered enough to bar them from any compensation.
Speak to an Experienced Pedestrian Law Attorney
You can protect your legal rights and those of your children. Experienced attorneys know how to get you fair compensation if you are injured in a pedestrian accident in Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia.
