How Does Halloween Increase the Risk of Crashes?

Halloween is a fun holiday for both children and adults, but it’s true that October 31st is one of the most dangerous days for motor vehicle accidents. With so many kids and teens out and about on Halloween evening or night, young people are especially at risk of being injured in motor vehicle-related crashes. Kids and teens (and even adults) face an increased risk of getting injured in a motor vehicle crash for several reasons.

Driving Under the Influence

The risk of motor vehicle accidents on Halloween goes up due to increased rates of drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs. Nearly half of all fatal motor vehicle accidents on Halloween involve a driver under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Many people go out to Halloween parties where they consume alcoholic beverages before getting behind the wheel; even younger drivers may look at Halloween as an opportunity to party and surreptitiously consume alcohol. Even if you feel “okay” to drive, you still pose a risk of causing an accident, especially at night.

You can help reduce the risk of causing a DUI accident by either having a designated driver if you go to a party or using a taxi or rideshare service to get home after consuming alcohol at a party.

Lots of Pedestrians

Trick-or-treating on Halloween is one of the rites of passage for many children. Residential neighborhoods that typically see little pedestrian traffic may end up getting flooded by young children out in the evening. Drivers who are not accustomed to driving around heavy pedestrian traffic may have trouble adjusting their focus

If you must drive on Halloween evening, you should be extra vigilant for pedestrians, especially young children who may themselves be oblivious to vehicle traffic. Be on the lookout for young children behind your vehicle if backing up. Drive more slowly than you might otherwise and be ready to stop at a moment’s notice in case a trick-or-treater decides to dart across the street in front of you. Avoid distractions such as your cell phone or your vehicle’s radio or infotainment system. If you need to make a text or call or check for directions, pull over where it is safe to do so.

Lack of Supervision

As noted above, Halloween is an incredibly exciting evening for young children who get to dress up in fun costumes, spend an evening with friends, and receive free candy. All this excitement increases the risk that children, especially those who don’t have adequate adult supervision, may either wander off, become lost, or run across streets without looking for oncoming traffic. 

If you are supervising children out trick-or-treating, you can help them and other motorists out on the road to keep them safe by having a planned trick-or-treating route and enough supervision to make sure no one wanders or darts off. If a child has a darker-colored costume and you are out after dusk, you should also consider placing reflective or bright colored tape on the child’s costume or candy pail/bag.

Contact a Perth Amboy Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Motor Vehicle Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a motor vehicle accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at our firm founder Law Office represent clients injured because of motor vehicle accidents in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 442-5900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 163 Market St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, as well as offices in New Brunswick, Roselle, East Orange, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Linden, Newark, Paterson, South Amboy, and Trenton.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.