Take special care on Halloween, a historically deadly night for pedestrians of all ages

October has historically been one of the most dangerous and deadly months for pedestrians in Minnesota and across the nation as earlier sunsets bring more hours of darkness.

And then there is Halloween, one of the most dangerous nights of the year for anybody on foot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In one study, a team of pediatricians examined 42 years of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and found adults out walking on Halloween night were 43% more likely to be hit and killed by a vehicle than on any other night of the year.

They also found children ages 4 to 8 had a tenfold increase in pedestrian fatality risk on Halloween night, according to a 2018 study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.

“The holiday may heighten pedestrian traffic risk because celebrations occur at dusk, masks restrict peripheral vision, costumes limit visibility, street-crossing safety is neglected, and some partygoers are impaired by alcohol,” the study’s authors wrote.

With Halloween on Friday, the last day of National Pedestrian Safety Month, scores of goons, goblins and trick-or-treaters dressed as one of the ever popular Labubus will be out after dark.

AAA has some Halloween safety tips for anybody venturing out Friday night.

The organization also says those on foot should “cross the street responsibly,” meaning to cross at corners, in crosswalks or at traffic signals. Look both ways before crossing, AAA said.

When walking, stay on sidewalks. If none are present, stay as far to the left of the road as possible and walk facing traffic. And never walk distracted or impaired, AAA adds.

For motorists, tip one is to remain focused on driving. That means constantly scanning the landscape.

“Younger pedestrians can be very unpredictable,” AAA reminds drivers. “Be on the lookout for children’s shoes or costumes under vehicles to make sure the are not crossing the street between parked cars in neighborhoods.”

Motorists should also follow the speed limit, especially in residential areas where cyclists and pedestrians share the road. They should wear their seat belts, even when parked on the side of the road, and designate a navigator to read maps or take photos.

“We all want to enjoy the festivities and get home safely,” said Brynna Knapp, with AAA Minnesota. “Please use extra caution this Halloween and keep an eye out for pedestrians.”

Commuters on Monday morning will find another ramp at the busy I-35W/I-494 interchange closed.

MnDOT will close the ramp leading from northbound I-35W to eastbound I-494 at 10 p.m. Sunday and it won’t reopen until early December.

Motorists can detour to eastbound Crosstown Hwy. 62 and southbound Cedar Avenue/Hwy. 77 to get back to I-494.

The ramp from westbound I-494 to southbound I-35W remains closed until Nov. 15.