As Halloween approaches, the national nonprofit Kids and Car Safety is urging parents, caregivers, and drivers to take extra precautions to protect children, who face a significantly higher risk of being struck by vehicles on the holiday.
According to the organization, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Each week in the U.S., an estimated 110 children are backed over or run over in parking lots and driveways, while more than 100 are struck on public roadways.
“The danger is both on the roadway and off,” the organization said, noting that pedestrian fatalities among children have continued to increase over the past decade, fueled in part by the rising popularity of large trucks and SUVs.
“Talk to children about the dangers around vehicles — but never rely on them to protect themselves,” said Amber Rollins, director of Kids and Car Safety. “Even the most cautious child can make a split-second mistake. Children live in the moment — they’re thinking about candy, not danger. In just one second, a family’s life can change forever. It’s our job as adults to stay alert, stay aware, and keep them safe.”
The group explained that children under 12 are at the greatest risk because drivers often cannot see them directly in front of or behind vehicles. Larger trucks and SUVs can have blind zones up to 15 feet in front and 50 feet behind, leaving children invisible to drivers even when mirrors are used.
Halloween safety tips from Kids and Car Safety
- Avoid driving on Halloween if possible.
- If you must drive, slow down and stay extra cautious in neighborhoods.
- Always directly supervise children under 12 while trick-or-treating.
- Use glow sticks, flashlights, and reflective tape or stickers to increase visibility.
- Encourage light-colored costumes to help kids see and be seen.
- Avoid masks that obstruct vision; choose face paint when possible.
- Remind children to watch for cars turning or backing out of driveways.
- Walk—don’t run—and always cross at corners after looking both ways.
- Keep phones down and stay alert to your surroundings.
- Walk on sidewalks or, if none are available, along the left side of the road facing traffic.
- Leave e-bikes and scooters at home, as they are dangerous for children, particularly in the dark.
Kids and Car Safety emphasized that increased awareness and adult supervision can make all the difference. “Slow down, stay visible, and make sure our little ghosts and goblins get home safely,” the group said.
