Be Safe, Not Spooky This Halloween: Drivers Be Alert for Little Ghosts and Goblins on the Go

As Halloween approaches, ghosts and goblins of all ages are getting ready to head out for trick-or-treating fun. To make sure the holiday stays as safe as it is spooky, the Santa Barbara Police Department has put together a set of safety tips for parents, kids, and drivers. Let’s work together to keep Halloween safe and memorable for everyone.

“As families and children enjoy the spooky fun of Halloween, it’s important for drivers to do their part in keeping our streets safe,” Traffic Officer A. Shull said. “If you plan on celebrating, make sure you have a game plan to use a designated driver or rideshare service. Driving impaired, even for a short distance, puts everyone at risk.”

Because of the parties, trick-or-treating and other festivities, Halloween night can be especially dangerous on our nation’s roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), adults between the ages of 21 and 34 had the highest percentage (54%) of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night between 2018 and 2022.

Whether you are celebrating Halloween or enjoying the night out, the Santa Barbara Police Department offers the following tips for families to be as safe as possible and share the road safely:

Drivers

• Slow down and watch out for more foot traffic in residential neighborhoods.
• Take extra time looking for trick-or-treaters at intersections and entering/exiting driveways.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.
• If you are heading to a local bar, restaurant or house party and plan to drink, bring the designated sober driver with you, use public transit or a rideshare service, or stay the night.

Parents/Caregivers and Trick-or-Treaters

• Make sure costumes fit to prevent trips and falls.
• Decorate costumes and bags/buckets with reflective tape.
• Have kids use flashlights or glow sticks to make it easier for drivers to see them.
• Walk on sidewalks, when available. Avoid darting into the street or crossing between parked cars.
• Stick to familiar, well-lit routes.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
   

In an effort to keep our roads safe for trick-or-treaters and others enjoying the festive spirit of the night, the Santa Barbara Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.