New Jersey police to increase Halloween patrols targeting pedestrian safety and drunk driving
NEW JERSEY — Police departments across New Jersey will increase traffic enforcement on Halloween, focusing on pedestrian safety during trick-or-treating hours before shifting their attention to impaired drivers later in the evening.
The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police announced Monday, Oct. 26, that its Goal Zero Halloween enforcement initiative will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, with coordinated high-visibility patrols throughout the state.
The initiative is designed to address two major traffic safety concerns associated with Halloween: increased pedestrian activity involving children in costumes and the potential for impaired driving following nighttime celebrations.
According to the association, Halloween falling on a Saturday this year creates additional safety concerns because trick-or-treating activities will be followed by adult Halloween parties and gatherings. The holiday also coincides with the conclusion of National Pedestrian Safety Month.
Research cited by the association indicates that pedestrian fatality risk is 43% higher on Halloween evenings compared with similar nights, while children ages 4 to 8 face approximately 10 times the usual risk. The danger is greatest around 6 p.m., when trick-or-treating activity typically increases.
“Halloween on a Saturday is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for New Jersey’s roadways,” said NJSACOP President Kevin Carey. “By day, our neighborhoods fill with children in costumes who can be hard to see, and after dark the risk shifts to impaired drivers leaving parties. Our Goal Zero mission is absolute—zero fatalities. We are calling on everyone to slow down, yield to pedestrians, and make the smart choice to drive sober or not at all. Our officers will be highly visible throughout the day and night to ensure families reach their destinations safely.”
Participating police departments will conduct additional patrols and traffic enforcement operations throughout the day and evening, adjusting their focus as Halloween activities transition from neighborhood trick-or-treating to nighttime celebrations.
During daytime and early evening hours, officers will concentrate on pedestrian safety, including speeding violations, crosswalk compliance and traffic enforcement in residential neighborhoods. Police will also coordinate enforcement with local trick-or-treating schedules and remind motorists to slow down, remain alert and yield to pedestrians.
As evening celebrations begin, enforcement efforts will shift toward identifying and removing impaired drivers from the road. Police will conduct increased DWI patrols, particularly near bars and on roadways where drivers may be traveling after Halloween parties.
The association said residents can expect to see additional marked police vehicles in neighborhoods throughout Halloween as part of the statewide effort to improve visibility and protect families.
National crash data cited by the organization highlights the dangers associated with impaired driving during the holiday. From 2019 through 2024, 176 people were killed in crashes involving drivers with blood alcohol concentrations of 0.08% or higher during the Halloween overnight period, defined as 6 p.m. Oct. 31 through 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1.
The association also reported that 54% of people ages 21 to 34 who died in traffic crashes during the cited Halloween periods were killed in drunk-driving crashes. Victims of those crashes included 31 pedestrians and 144 drivers and passengers, according to the figures provided.
The Halloween enforcement initiative is part of the broader Goal Zero campaign, which seeks to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries through coordinated law enforcement efforts, public education and safer driving practices.
Officials are urging motorists to reduce their speed in neighborhoods, watch carefully for pedestrians crossing streets and arrange for a sober ride if they plan to consume alcohol during Halloween celebrations.
