Did you know?

  • Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

  • Pedestrian fatalities on Halloween reached 5,987 – the highest it’s been since 1990 – according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  • Halloween drunk-driving fatalities are on the rise. From 2012 to 2016, 44% of all people killed in motor vehicle accidents on Halloween were in crashes involving a drunk driver.

Halloween is an exciting holiday for adults and children alike, but as the above facts demonstrate, there are some clear safety factors to keep in mind before you partake in any spooky festivities.

Halloween Safety Guidelines:

  • Be on high alert for drunk drivers and pedestrians on Halloween night (as well as the weekend leading up to Halloween)

  • Drivers should keep an eye out for pedestrian traffic in general.

  • Trick-or-treating peaks between 5:30PM and 9:30PM, so be particularly watchful for children during those hours.

  • Be visible! If you or your children are going out in costumes this year, make sure that you are as visible to motorists as possible. Common methods include carrying a flashlight or glow sticks, or wearing reflective strips.

  • Young children should not be out alone at night without adult supervision

  • Children mature enough to be without supervision should be reminded to stay in groups and to stick to well-lit areas

Party Safely

If you are hosting a Halloween party, remember that under social host liability laws, you may be held responsible for any underage drinking that takes place at your party or for your guests’ behavior after they leave your party.

And as a guest, before the Halloween parties begin, plan a safe way to get home at the end of the night. Walking home inebriated can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.

Follow these tips this Halloween, and enjoy a safe and fun holiday.

SUGARMAN has a team of dedicated personal injury attorneys who represent those who have been injured. If you have been hurt in an accident and wish to speak to one of our attorneys regarding liability, please fill out a Contact Form, call us at (617) 542-1000 or e-mail info@sugarman.com.