As Halloween Is Among the Deadliest Nights for Children and Pedestrians, MADD Reminds Families and Drivers to Make Safety a Top Priority
(Irving, Texas – October 22, 2025) Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) wants to remind everyone of the heightened risk of impaired driving this Halloween, a holiday that ranks among the deadliest nights for pedestrians, especially children. As Halloween approaches, MADD is reminding parents, trick-or-treaters, and drivers to be vigilant of impaired driving.
“Halloween should be a night of fun, not tragedy,” said Stacey Stewart, CEO of MADD. “With children and teens out trick-or-treating, there’s no excuse for getting behind the wheel while impaired. These crashes are 100% preventable. If you plan to drink, plan ahead for a safe ride home, lives depend on it.”
In 2023, 29% of fatal car crashes on Halloween involved impaired drivers, according to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Studies also show that pedestrian deaths increase by 43% on Halloween compared to other nights. The risk is particularly high for children aged four to eight. Halloween is a particularly dangerous time on the roads, as neighborhoods are filled with children, teens, and adults in dark costumes at night, navigating areas with poor lighting. To help keep everyone safe and alert, MADD recommends implementing the below safety tips to your Halloween traditions.
MADD Halloween Safety Tips – Keep Families Safe on the Roads
1. Plan Ahead – Never Drive Impaired: If you plan to drink during Halloween festivities, make a plan before the
night begins. Use a rideshare, designate a sober driver, or take public transit. Impaired driving includes cars, bikes, golf carts, and ATVs.
2. Keep Trick-or-Treaters Visible: Adults should supervise children. Use glow sticks, reflective tape, and lightcolored costumes. Skip masks that block vision. Stick to sidewalks and crosswalks, ideally in groups.
3. Sober Drivers: Stay Alert: Watch for impaired drivers and excited trick-or-treaters. Buckle up, drive slowly, and stay focused, especially in neighborhoods.
4. Talk to Teens About Risky Behavior: Halloween is a good time for parents to discuss underage drinking and safe choices. MADD’s Power of Parents handbook is a proven tool to start the conversation.
5. See Something? Say Something: If you suspect an impaired driver, call 911. One call could save a life.
The impaired driving crisis killed more than 13,000 people for the second year in a row, according to NHTSA. Drunk driving deaths have increased 22% since 2019. Every 85 seconds, someone is killed or injured in a drunk driving crash. MADD firmly believes the key to eliminating impaired driving lies in lifesaving anti-drunk driving auto technology. The HALT Drunk Driving Law, passed in 2021, requires this lifesaving technology to be put into all new cars, which will save more than 10,000 lives per year.
About MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is a national nonprofit leading the movement to end impaired driving for good. Since 1980, MADD has helped reduce drunk driving deaths in America by more than 40%, saved nearly 500,000 lives, and served nearly one million victims and survivors. The organization is committed to leading prevention efforts with young adults, collaborating with law enforcement to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers, as well as advocating for stricter sentencing and stronger laws, including the HALT Drunk Driving Law that mandates anti-drunk driving technology in every new car. MADD continues to
