Halloween Lands on a Saturday: Trick-or-Treat Safety in South Florida Neighborhoods
This year Halloween falls on a Saturday. That changes the night in ways drivers should plan for. No school the next morning means kids stay out later. More parties mean more people driving home after dark. And it's the last night before clocks fall back on Sunday, November 1, so many drivers are already tired and running on a shifted schedule.
Halloween is consistently one of the most dangerous nights of the year for pedestrians, and children are the most exposed. Here is how to keep your street safe, and what to do if someone is hurt.
If you’re driving Saturday night
Slow down in neighborhoods from about 5 p.m. on. Kids dart out mid-block and between parked cars, not at crosswalks.
Put the phone away completely. Texting while driving is a primary offense in Florida, and a two-second glance is enough to miss a child in a dark costume.
Turn your headlights on early, even before sunset, so you are seen as well as seeing.
Back out of driveways slowly. Small children are hard to see from a driver’s seat.
Plan your ride if you’re going to a party. A rideshare, a sober driver or staying put all beat driving impaired.
If you’re walking with kids
Add reflective tape or glow sticks to costumes, and carry a flashlight.
Pick masks that don’t block vision, or use face paint instead.
Cross at corners and crosswalks, and make eye contact with drivers before stepping out.
Older kids trick-or-treating on their own should stay in groups, stick to familiar, well-lit streets, and keep a phone charged.
What if a pedestrian is hit?
Call 911 and get a police report. Then get a medical evaluation, even if the injuries look minor. Adrenaline hides pain, and children often can’t describe what hurts.
Many people don’t realize that Florida PIP can cover pedestrians. If you own a car with PIP, or you live with a relative who has PIP, that coverage usually applies to you even when you were walking. If no one in your household has PIP, the PIP on the vehicle that hit you may cover you, as long as you are a Florida resident. Your insurer can confirm how it applies in your case.
The 14-day rule still applies. Florida PIP requires you to get initial medical care within 14 days of the accident to use your benefits. If you wait, you can lose that coverage. Read more in our guide to the 14-day rule.
We’re here the week after Halloween
Our six clinics across Miami-Dade and Broward see accident patients without an appointment. Dr. Joseph Hochstein, D.C., directs our North Miami Beach clinic, and our team evaluates pedestrians, cyclists and drivers after a crash. We bill your PIP insurer directly. You can start care with or without an attorney.
For more family safety tips, see last year’s Halloween guide.
Have a safe, happy Halloween, South Florida.
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice.