Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and AAA is warning that the combination of trick-or-treaters, weekend drivers and e-bike and e-scooter riders could make neighborhood streets especially risky after dark.
The auto club urges motorists to slow down, stay visible and avoid distractions and impairment. AAA spokesperson Montrae Waiters said drivers should expect more people out after dark, and that a child in costume or a rider on an e-bike or e-scooter can appear with little warning.
Safe Kids Worldwide reports that children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Popular trick-or-treating hours fall between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also reports that 201 people died in alcohol-related crashes on Halloween night from 2020 through 2024.
E-bikes and e-scooters add another concern, particularly on dark, busy streets. AAA recommends that riders wear a properly fitted helmet and make sure drivers can see them. Families can find more guidance in the club’s E-Ride Safety Guide.
