AAA is sending out its annual statewide Trick or Treat Safety Alert for children and adults. Halloween can be one of the most deadly nights of the year for both pedestrians and motorists, due to fewer daylight hours, distracted driving, increased number of pedestrians, and motorists traveling to and from Halloween events.

Halloween is supposed to be scary, but not when it comes to driving safety. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the number of deaths among young pedestrians (ages 5-14) is four times higher on Halloween evening than any other evening of the year.

AAA offers the following Trick or Treat Safety Tips:

• Drive slower through neighborhoods
• Avoid distractions while driving
• Drive sober
• Avoid checking your phone while walking or supervising children
• Walk with your children as they go door to door and show them safe places to cross the street
• Have children carry a glowstick or flashlight to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• Cross the street using traffic signals and crosswalks
• Always walk facing traffic if there are no sidewalks available and stay as far to the left as possible.
• Stay in familiar neighborhoods and only visit homes that have the porch light on, and never go into a stranger’s house.