Calhoun County, AL – As families throughout Calhoun County prepare for Halloween celebrations on Saturday, October 31, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is urging parents, trick-or-treaters, and motorists to take additional precautions to ensure a safe holiday weekend.
With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, neighborhoods across Alabama could experience increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic as families participate in trick-or-treating and community events. The statewide safety recommendations issued by ALEA are particularly relevant to families throughout Anniston, Oxford, Jacksonville, Piedmont, Weaver, and surrounding Calhoun County communities.
According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle on Halloween compared to other days of the year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also warns of increased risks associated with pedestrian fatalities and impaired driving during Halloween celebrations.
Reduced visibility after dark, increased pedestrian activity, and distracted driving can create dangerous conditions, particularly in residential neighborhoods where children may be crossing streets or walking between homes.
“Halloween should be a night filled with fun, laughter and memories for our children, not preventable tragedies,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “As parents and grandparents, we all want our children to return home safely at the end of the night. That starts with taking a few simple precautions before heading out and looking out for one another along the way. I encourage every motorist to slow down, stay alert and remember that behind every costume is a child whose safety depends on the decisions we make.”
ALEA Offers Safety Recommendations for Trick-or-Treaters
As local families finalize their Halloween plans, ALEA encourages parents and guardians to review pedestrian safety precautions with children before heading out.
The agency recommends several measures to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries:
- Increase visibility: Wear bright or reflective costumes and add reflective tape to candy bags or buckets to help motorists identify pedestrians after dark.
- Choose appropriate costumes: Ensure costumes fit properly to prevent trips and falls. Masks should not obstruct vision.
- Use sidewalks: Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. Where sidewalks are unavailable, pedestrians should face oncoming traffic and remain as far from the roadway as possible.
- Cross streets safely: Use designated crosswalks and intersections, look both ways, and listen for approaching vehicles. Avoid crossing between parked cars.
- Remain alert: Watch for vehicles turning, backing out of driveways, or entering intersections. Avoid cellphone use and other distractions while walking.
- Travel in groups: Young children should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Older children should travel in groups and communicate their planned routes with parents or guardians.
- Carry a light source: Flashlights with fresh batteries or other lighting devices can improve visibility after dark.
- Inspect Halloween treats: Parents should examine candy and other treats before allowing children to consume them. Items with opened or damaged packaging should be discarded, and families should consider potential choking hazards and food allergies.
ALEA also encourages parents to familiarize themselves with neighborhoods where their children plan to trick-or-treat.
As an additional precaution, families can review Alabama’s online sex offender registry, available through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s website at www.alea.gov.
Motorists Urged to Exercise Additional Caution in Residential Neighborhoods
ALEA is also emphasizing the responsibility of drivers to remain alert during Halloween activities.
With families expected to participate in festivities throughout Calhoun County and across Alabama, motorists are encouraged to anticipate increased pedestrian traffic, particularly during evening hours.
The agency recommends that drivers reduce their speed when traveling through residential neighborhoods and remain prepared for children who may unexpectedly enter the roadway.
Drivers should eliminate distractions, including cellphone use, and exercise additional caution near intersections, crosswalks, and areas with limited visibility.
ALEA also advises motorists to carefully check for pedestrians before turning, entering intersections, or backing out of driveways and alleys.
Impaired driving remains another concern during Halloween celebrations. The agency urges anyone planning to consume alcohol to designate a sober driver or arrange alternative transportation.
Motorists are also encouraged to intervene when possible to prevent impaired friends or family members from getting behind the wheel.
Safety Awareness Encouraged Throughout Halloween Weekend
Although ALEA’s recommendations apply statewide, the agency’s message is relevant to Calhoun County residents preparing for neighborhood trick-or-treating, community gatherings, and other Halloween activities.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss safety expectations with children before leaving home, while motorists are reminded that additional pedestrian activity may require slower speeds and increased attention.
ALEA officials emphasize that simple precautions and awareness from both pedestrians and drivers can help reduce preventable accidents and injuries during Halloween celebrations.
The agency is encouraging families and motorists throughout Alabama to work together to make Halloween a safe holiday for children and communities.
