Overview
- Long‑term data show elevated risk tonight, with NIH finding a 43% increase in pedestrian deaths on Halloween and Safe Kids reporting minors are 3.5 times more likely to be fatally struck than on other days.
- Agencies nationwide have added patrols and impaired‑driving enforcement for the Friday schedule, including California’s CHP maximum enforcement period and local DUI details such as Scotts Valley’s 2 p.m.–2 a.m. operation.
- In Houston, a joint Halloween Safe Initiative will visit roughly 1,300 registered sex offenders from 5–9 p.m. to enforce rules that prohibit handing out candy, displaying decorations, or keeping porch lights on.
- Emergency departments report they are braced for higher volume this evening, with doctors flagging peak danger around 6 p.m. and noting common injuries from pumpkin carving and falls in addition to traffic incidents.
- Safety guidance emphasizes reflective gear, flashlights and adult supervision, crossing at corners and crosswalks, slower driving with sober ride plans, and homeowner steps such as clearing walkways and moving cars off the street.