MSHP warns of traffic and pedestrian safety ahead of Halloween weekend

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding residents of the heightened risks of pedestrian collisions and alcohol-related crashes during the Halloween season.

Troop F's Sergeant Kyle Green with Troop F said the department wants both pedestrians and drivers to make safety a priority over the holiday weekend.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 2025, on Halloween night, drivers should expect an increase in neighborhood foot traffic and slow-moving vehicles dropping off trick-or-treaters.

Green recommends several safety steps for drivers and families.

• For Drivers: Slow down in residential areas, keep eyes on the road and stay alert rather than mobile devices, and turn on headlights early in the evening.
• For Costumes: Wear light colors, reflective tape, or glow sticks to keep children visible. Use face paint or makeup instead of masks, which can obstruct vision.
• For Pedestrians: Young children should always be accompanied by an adult, while older children should travel in groups and remain in well-lit areas.
  

Green said children can be unpredictable during Halloween, so drivers need to make sure they are prioritizing staying alert.

"For drivers, we encourage them to slow down and stay alert while traveling in neighborhoods or areas where trick-or-treaters are likely to be walking around," Green wrote in a statement to ABC 17. "This is an exciting time for children, and they often do unpredictable things, so please be on the lookout."

Parents should speak with children about good trick-or-treating practices to help keep them safe. Green said speaking with children about being careful when walking from house to house and utilizing sidewalks rather than crossing the road at random spots with limited street lights.

"The best practice is to stay on one side of the street for a particular set of homes and then cross the street at the same location to access the remaining homes," Green said.

Based on a study published by JAMA Pediatrics, the risk of a pedestrian fatality on the evening of Halloween is 43% higher than on a controlled evening before and after the holiday.

The same study states that children aged between four and eight have a 10 times more likely chance of being involved in pedestrian fatality on Halloween. And the peak time for these risks was around 6 p.m.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Traffic Safety data from 2024, the most pedestrian fatalities occur in the dark, with 76% of all pedestrian fatalities happening then. And 43% of driver-pedestrian fatal crashes had alcohol involvement with a BAC of .01 grams or higher.

Green said that adults attending Halloween parties where they will be drinking need to arrange for a sober and safe ride home.

"If you know you’re going to be consuming alcohol or other substances, please plan ahead by arranging for a sober ride home before you attend the party," Green wrote. "Operating a vehicle in an impaired condition should never be a consideration; a safe and sober ride home is just a phone call away."

On Halloween, Green said troopers will prioritize patrolling neighborhoods or areas where there will likely be an increase in pedestrians trick-or-treating.

"If someone observes a driver operating a vehicle in a careless or imprudent manner, jeopardizing the safety of trick-or-treaters, please contact local law enforcement or *55 to reach the nearest Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop Headquarters," Green wrote.