Halloween is celebrated with trick-or-treating, parties, candy, and, sometimes, drinking. To stay safe, follow these 13 ghoulishly good tips for drivers, pedestrians, partygoers and hosts.

Trick-or-Treating

Drivers should be aware that around Halloween, there will likely be more pedestrians on the roads and in unexpected places.

Safety Tips for Drivers

• #1: Be alert for trick-or-treaters and other pedestrians.
• #2: Slow down and scan the road. Remember: Slower speeds save lives.
• #3: Watch for young trick-or-treaters in unexpected places. Children may be unaware of traffic and dart into the street unexpectedly. 
• #4: If you see a drunk driver, contact law enforcement.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

• #5: Before festivities begin, create a “buddy system” to get each other home safely and prevent walking alone.
• #6: Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
• #7: If possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.

Halloween Parties

Unfortunately, Halloween also involves potentially deadly crashes and impaired drivers on the road. In 2022, nearly half of all crash fatalities during Halloween night were alcohol-related.

Safety Tips for Attendees

• #8: Before drinking, choose a designated driver or schedule a ridesharing, ride-hailing, or taxi service.
• #9: If you drink, do not drive for any reason. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability.

Safety Tips for Hosts

• #10: Be responsible and take action to make sure guests get home safely.
• #11: Prepare to call taxis rideshares, provide sleeping accommodations, or — if you’re sober — drive guests home yourself.
• #12: Collect car keys from guests who are drinking.
• #13: Provide non-alcoholic beverage options.

information provided by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.