Missouri officials issue Halloween pedestrian and traffic safety warnings

Missouri State Highway Patrol and local officials are warning residents of increased risks for pedestrian collisions and alcohol-related crashes during the Halloween season. Data indicates that the risk of a pedestrian fatality on Halloween night is 43% higher than on other evenings, with children aged four to eight being ten times more likely to be involved in such fatalities.

Safety recommendations for drivers include slowing down in residential areas, avoiding mobile devices, and using headlights early. For pedestrians, officials suggest wearing light-colored or reflective clothing and using face paint instead of masks to maintain visibility. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that 76% of pedestrian fatalities occur in the dark, and 43% of fatal driver-pedestrian crashes involve alcohol.