How to Drive Safely on Halloween: A Guide for Texas Drivers

Halloween is right around the corner, and pirates, princesses, and ghouls will soon be filling the streets of neighborhoods looking for candy across Texas.

Halloween night is one of the deadliest nights for pedestrians across Texas, especially for young children ages 2 to 6. Because of the extreme risk of an accident on this night, experts often suggest avoiding driving altogether. However, this isn’t always possible. Fortunately, there are easy changes you can make as a driver to keep pedestrians safe while still making it to your destination.

The following is a compilation of tips for safe Halloween driving, as well as what to do if you’re in a car accident on Halloween night. At Carabin Shaw, we hope you have a safe Halloween, but we stand ready to assist you if you or someone you love is injured in an accident.

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Did You Know?

On average, 5.5 children are killed in pedestrian accidents on Halloween, compared to 2.6 on a normal day.

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Tips for Safe Halloween Driving

Here are some simple but critical ways you can avoid a scary accident on Halloween.

Before You Go:

Planning ahead is a critical factor in avoiding distraction and having a safe ride.

1. Plan Your Route — Know what route you’re taking ahead of time to reduce distraction while you’re driving. Remember that there are many major road closures across the State, and you may need to take an alternative route.
2. Avoid Neighborhoods — Make sure your route doesn’t involve a detour through a neighborhood street whenever possible to reduce risk.
3. Safe Costumes — Don’t drive with a mask or headgear that can obstruct vision. Opt for face paint over masks if you know you’ll be driving.

During the Ride:

You should always use caution and drive safely, but there are extra steps you can take for high-risk nights like Halloween.

1. Check Twice When Backing Up — Before exiting a parking space or driveway, check twice for small children who will be difficult to see.
2. Phones Down, Eyes Up — A lack of distraction is critical. Children may make unexpected movements that require immediate reaction times.
3. Slow Down — Especially when in neighborhoods or parking lots, even if you don’t see trick-or-treaters.
4. Limit Distractions — Don’t eat, drink, apply makeup, or change while driving. Avoid using vehicle touchscreens as much as possible. Turn off loud music when driving through residential areas, and consider rolling your window down slightly to increase your awareness.

Avoiding Drunk Driving:

Drunk driving spikes on Halloween, as with many other holidays. Nearly half of all pedestrian fatalities on Halloween in 2022 involved a drunk driver.

1. If You Drink, Don’t Drive — Even a small amount of alcohol impairs judgment and reaction times. Don’t risk it.
2. Plan an Alternative Ride — If you will be drinking on Halloween, plan an alternative ride to and from the party before you start drinking.
3. Report Drunk Drivers — If you spot a drunk driver, contact law enforcement.

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See Also:

3 Ways to Avoid Drunk Driving During the Holidays

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What to Do If You’re in a Car Accident on Halloween

Even if you do everything right, you can still be involved in a car accident on Halloween. Hit-and-runs, pedestrian accidents, and drunk driving accidents all increase during this time.

Immediately After the Accident:

All of the basics still apply, including:

1. Call 9-1-1 — This is legally required if anyone was hurt or if property damage was $3,000 or more, but it is good practice in general.
2. Check for Injuries — Check yourself and others for injury. Immediately request EMS if anyone is hurt.
3. Document the Scene — Take a photo and/or video of the accident scene and any visible injuries.
4. Exchange Information — Get the contact info, license plate number, make and model of the vehicle, and insurance information of the other driver(s).
5. Report the Accident to Insurance — This should be done after seeking medical care and talking to the police, but as soon as possible.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Halloween Accident?

If you were hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you should talk to a car accident lawyer about your case. This is true even if you’re not seriously injured, as an attorney can help you if more serious injuries appear later.

You do not need an attorney for a car accident on Halloween if:

1. The accident was your fault,
2. No one was injured in the accident,
3. Injuries or property damage are too minimal to justify a claim.

If you are unsure about your injuries or the extent of the damage, consulting with a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and will help you decide if you should move forward with a claim or let the insurance handle it.

Injured on Halloween? Call Shaw

If you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident on Halloween, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Surgeries,
• Medical Bills,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Trauma/PTSD,
• Missed Work,
• Loss of Earning Capacity,
• Wrongful Death,
• And More.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Call Shaw for immediate help at 800-862-1260 or use the live chat to get started. We’re available to schedule your appointment with a Carabin Shaw attorney 24/7. We look forward to serving you.

Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.

¹NHTSA.gov