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Oct. 30, 2024 – Halloween is a time for make-believe ghosts and goblins, but driver and pedestrian safety is increasingly a real-life concern every October 31 as the holiday is now one of the most dangerous in Louisiana.
The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and its safety partners held a news briefing on Wednesday to remind drivers and parents of trick-or-treaters to be vigilant on Halloween. Joining the LHSC were representatives from Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, and The Safety Place.
Since 2019 in Louisiana, 3,035 people have been killed or injured in vehicle crashes during Halloween, according to data from the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU. Those numbers exceed fatalities during other holidays in Louisiana, including July 4, Labor Day, and New Year's Eve.
During those five years, the number of Halloween alcohol-related fatalities and injuries in Louisiana also is second only to the Carnival holiday.
“Since 2019 in our state, 20 people have been killed and 341 people have been hurt in crashes that involved an impaired driver during Halloween,” LHSC Executive Director Lisa Freeman said. “Let me break it down this way: If you are drinking this Halloween, do not drive.”
Louisiana State Police Lt. Mindi Keith also reminded all drivers “to be mindful of children in neighborhoods during trick or treat hours on Thursday. Drive slowly in residential areas, refrain from using a phone or other distractions, and be on alert for trick-or-treaters who might run into the street.”
Adriane McRae, DOTD’s highway safety section administrator, noted that Wednesday is also Buckle Up/Phone Down Day, to encourage people to concentrate on driving instead of phone conversations.
“On Buckle Up Phone Down Day, we reaffirm our commitment to road safety by recognizing that wearing a seat belt and putting our phones down are simple yet powerful actions that can save lives and prevent tragedies on our roads,” she said. “It is always important to follow these simple safety guidelines, but with the holidays approaching we can't stress pedestrian and vehicle safety enough.”
As the medical director of emergency services at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Dr. L. Mark Laperouse has seen the grim side of Halloween.
“The emergency room is the wrong kind of scary for Halloween,” he said. “The tragedy is that so many injuries we treat could have been avoided if responsible adults just paid attention to their driving, their children, and their surroundings.”
Crystal Pichon, CEO of The Safety Place, said twice as many children are hit by vehicles on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
“Parents, keep the odds in your favor by using reflective material on costumes and giving children flashlights, by walking with younger children, especially when crossing the street, and by teaching children never to run into the street,” she said.
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