(COLORADO) – Halloween falls on a Friday this year, allowing goblins of all ages to enjoy the holiday. The Colorado State Patrol wants to remind motorists and pedestrians to do their part as they share the road for an evening of trick-or-treating, haunted houses and fun.
Last October, Colorado State Troopers responded to 31 crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists, a 40% increase over 2023.
“Safety is a shared responsibility,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Pedestrians need to use crosswalks, obey traffic signals and be visible to motorists. Motorists need to drive with the awareness that their vehicle will cause great damage to any pedestrian or bicyclist. There is no contest on who would suffer the most in a crash.”
Halloween is a popular night for both adults and children, including parties and costume-themed events. In 2024, Halloween fell on a Thursday evening, Colorado State troopers responded to 17 crashes involving an impaired driver and arrested 34 drivers for DUI.
“This year, we anticipate Halloween events throughout the weekend,” explained Col. Packard. “Take the time now to plan what you will do when the party ends. Stay at the party hosts’ place, take a rideshare or use public transportation. There are many safe options and two scary options. Don’t get behind the wheel if you are impaired or be a passenger if your driver is drunk or high.”
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Drivers are also asked to stay alert for pedestrians and remove all distractions. Follow these tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- Drive slowly around neighborhoods and residential streets, even if you don’t see trick-or-treaters around.
- Don’t drink and drive. Don’t drive high.
- Watch for children who may dart out into the street and always yield to pedestrians. If you see one child, there are likely to be more who are ready to cross.
- When driving, ensure your headlights are on—not just your daytime running lights.
- Try to park in a spot where you won’t need to back up. However, if you must, have an adult present to ensure no children are in the way of your vehicle.
- Don’t use a cell phone, adjust your vehicle controls or eat while driving. Pull over safely to do all those things, if necessary.
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ABOUT THE COLORADO STATE PATROL
Since our origin in 1935, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has focused on preserving human life and protecting property within our communities. Our 1,100 members embody the core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect in their daily jobs. In addition to our expertise in motor vehicle safety on the state’s roadways, the CSP is responsible for the protection of the Governor and other dignitaries, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, hazardous materials, homeland security, communications, investigative services, criminal interdiction, community education, aviation operations, and more. For additional information, visit us online at Colorado State Patrol or follow us on X, Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook.