The Scary Facts Behind Drinking and Halloween
According to census.gov there were an estimated 41.1 million trick-or-treaters in 2018. Children were between the ages of 5 and 14 and many of them left unaccompanied by an adult on Halloween night. Despite the known dangers, the vast majority of children do not carry a flashlight or identifying outerwear. The extraordinary number of children walking around after dark makes America’s roadways deadlier than ever on Halloween night.
According to an infographic posted by wallethub.com, “2x more children are killed as pedestrians on Halloween than the average day” and “42% of Halloween-night motor vehicle deaths involve drunk driving.”
If you plan on being out on Halloween night, be sure to designate a sober driver. The consequences of drinking and driving can be deadly for both you and the millions of children that plan on trick-or-treating.
If you plan on taking little ones around the neighborhood follow these safety tips from Safe Kids Worldwide:
- Be Safe, Be Seen – wear reflective tape, use glowsticks or carry a flashlight
- Never cross in the middle of the street, use corners and designated cross walks
- Walk on sidewalks and in designated pedestrian areas
- Always watch for cars backing out of driveways
- Make sure children are accompanied by an adult
- Slow down if you are driving, anticipate children crossing unexpectedly
Halloween should be a safe and fun experience for both children and adults. By following these and other precautions, everyone can enjoy the holiday without getting hurt. Drinking and driving, particularly on Halloween, can have devastating results. Because of the high number of pedestrians, children are more than twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car. Do not be another statistic. Stay safe and sober this Halloween.