New Yorkers: Halloween Is the Deadliest Day for Child Pedestrians

If you’re taking kids trick-or-treating in New York this Halloween, keep an eye out for traffic, especially in the early evening. A new study found that more children are killed while walking on Halloween than on any other date.

MoneyGeek reviewed federal crash records from 2010 through 2024. The study found that 45 children were killed while walking on Halloween during those 15 years. That was nearly twice the 23 deaths recorded on September 30, the next-deadliest date.

Most Child Pedestrian Deaths Happened Before 9 P.M.

Of the 45 children killed on Halloween, 24 died in crashes between 6 and 9 p.m. That’s more than half of the total. The study also found 338 Halloween pedestrian deaths across all ages over 15 years. New York had 16 of those deaths, the fourth-highest state total. That number includes people of all ages, not just children.

Halloween Night Brings a Separate Late-Night Driving Risk

This year, Halloween falls on a Saturday. Daylight saving time also ends overnight, so clocks turn back at 2 a.m. on Sunday. The study found that alcohol-related traffic deaths were more common later at night. They made up 27% of traffic deaths from 6 to 9 p.m. and 60% from midnight to 3 a.m.

Simple Steps Can Help Keep Halloween Safer

If you’re walking with children, add a light or reflective tape to costumes and cross at corners. If you’re driving, slow down and watch for children near parked cars. If you’re going to a Halloween party, plan a safe ride home before you leave.