Drivers Should 'Stay Alert, Sober' On Roads Halloween Night: AAA

Seasonal & Holidays

Drivers Should 'Stay Alert, Sober' On Roads Halloween Night: AAA Slowing down is another important safety tips for drivers on Oct. 31, AAA Northeast said.

GARDEN CITY, NY — Drivers should use extra caution on Halloween .

"Stay alert, stay sober and be extra attentive to pedestrians of all ages," AAA Northeast said.

In 2022, 72 vehicle occupants and pedestrians died in crashes between 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 and 6 a.m. on Nov. 1, National Highway Traffic Safety Admininstration data shows. Thirty-nine percent of those crashes were classified as drunk-driving crashes, AAA said.

"While Halloween is an exciting time for both young and old to celebrate, the holiday brings heightened danger on our roadways," said Alec Slatky, AAA, Managing Director of Public and Government Affairs. "Whether you're out trick-or-treating with children or heading to a costume party with friends, extra vigilance is required, especially after dark, when pedestrians are the most vulnerable."

AAA has these safety tips for drivers:

Avoid neighborhood shortcuts. If possible, avoid cutting through residential streets where trick-or-treaters are likely to be.

Watch for children in the street or walking on medians and curbs. Excited trick-or-treaters, often in dark costumes, may not pay attention to traffic and may cross mid-block or between parked cars.

Slow down. A pedestrian is more than twice as likely to be killed if hit by a car traveling 35 mph compared to 25 mph, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.