Pedestrian Safety Tips for Halloween and Beyond

If you're familiar with Halloween in the PNW, you know trick-or-treating is an extreme sport; balancing safety and fun, all while trying to stay dry. The same can be true for drivers navigating the streets; with low visibility, hard to see pedestrians, and a multitude of distractions. Extra vigilance is necessary to keep everyone safe.  

According to data collected by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, between 2018 to 2022, Halloween ranks 20th on the list of deadliest days for pedestrians with an average of 24.6 deaths on this day each year. Don't let these statistics scare you! PEMCO gathered some top safety tips so you can be prepared. 

For Pedestrians 

Whether you're out with the family, or enjoying more adult Halloween parties, staying safe should always be top priority. Follow our tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.   

• Choose costumes for visibility and easy movement. If your costumes aren’t already fluorescent, use reflective tape, glow sticks or LED walking lights to ensure you're visible to drivers. Carrying a flashlight can also help. Make sure masks don’t obstruct vision. Keep hems short enough that you (or your child) won’t trip. 
• Accompany trick-or-treaters under age 12. On Halloween, children are twice as likely to be hit by a car compared to a normal day, according to safekids.org.  
• Older kids who go out with friends should understand which roads and neighborhoods are off-limits. 
• Use crosswalks. Always cross streets at designated crosswalks or intersections. Avoid jaywalking, especially in low-visibility conditions. 
• Stay alert. Avoid distractions like using your phone while walking. Keep an eye on your surroundings and listen for approaching pedestrians and vehicles. 
• Walk facing traffic. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic. This way, you can see vehicles coming towards you. 
• Be cautious at intersections. Even if you have the right of way, make sure drivers see you before you cross. 

For Drivers 

Drivers need extra vigilance on Halloween since pedestrians are likely to appear out of nowhere and in places where you don’t normally see them. Pedestrians may also be distracted or have little ones under the influence of sugar and are harder to control. 

• Slow down. Reduce your speed in poor weather conditions and in areas with high pedestrian traffic. 
• Use headlights. Turn on your headlights to improve visibility, even during the day. This helps pedestrians see you better. 
• Avoid distractions. Stay focused on the road and avoid using your phone or other distractions while driving. 
• Yield to pedestrians. Always yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections. Be extra cautious in residential areas and school zones. 
• Be patient. Give pedestrians plenty of time to cross the street, especially in bad weather when they may be moving more slowly.  
• Consider taking a cab or rideshare instead of driving to a party.  

Now that you have all the road-tested Halloween safety tips in the bag, we wish you a fun night of trick-or-treating and plentiful stashes of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!