Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, creating what AAA describes as a potentially dangerous combination of trick-or-treaters, weekend motorists, and e-bike and e-scooter riders sharing neighborhood roads after dark.

Central Florida residents say they’re already aware of the risks and hope everyone slows down.

Safe Kids Worldwide reports children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Peak trick-or-treating hours run from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., putting children on neighborhood streets after dark. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 201 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes on Halloween night from 2020 through 2024.

“Halloween already demands a driver’s full attention, and having it fall on a Saturday night adds another reason to be especially cautious,” said Brian Ortner, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Expect more people to be out after dark and slow down in neighborhoods. A child in a costume, or someone riding an e-bike or e-scooter, can appear in your path with very little warning.”

E-bikes, e-scooters bring new risks to Halloween night

E-bikes and e-scooters are already a familiar sight in Central Florida neighborhoods — and this Halloween, officials warn their growing popularity could add a new layer of danger.

Central Florida resident Emilio Scaglione said the concern is real.

“I try to avoid [them]. I hope they’re careful. I don’t want to see any kids get hurt,” Scaglione said.

Fellow Central Florida resident Stephanie Sassano shared similar worries, pointing to the speed of the devices as a top concern.

“Some of the kids pay attention, some of them don’t. As long as they wear their helmets, I just don’t like how fast they go,” Sassano said.

Sassano hopes everyone takes it down a notch on Halloween night.

“They have to drive right, they have to abide by the law,” she said. “This is a big community, a lot of kids now coming in, so a lot of trick-or-treaters. Hopefully they’re safe.”

As crashes involving e-bikes continue to rise, riders are encouraged to stay aware of their surroundings at all times and follow traffic rules — especially on Halloween, when children can become distracted and step into the street without warning.

“A helmet may not be part of the costume, but it should be part of the ride,” Ortner said. “If you’re heading out on an e-bike or e-scooter, wear a properly fitted helmet and make sure drivers can see you.”

AAA recommends e-bike and e-scooter riders wear a properly fitted helmet and use appropriate lights along with reflective or brightly colored materials to stay visible. Costumes should not restrict vision, movement or control of the e-ride. Riders should also put away phones and headphones, slow down around pedestrians and never ride impaired.

Halloween safety tips for drivers

AAA encourages motorists to slow down in neighborhoods, where children may unexpectedly step into the street or cross between parked vehicles. Drivers should look carefully at intersections, medians, curbs, driveways and alleys, and check around their vehicle before backing out of driveways or parking spaces.

Eliminating distractions is equally important — phones should be put away and attention kept on the road. AAA also recommends turning headlights on early and actively scanning for pedestrians, bicyclists and e-ride users after dark.

Halloween safety tips for trick-or-treaters

Parents and caregivers can help children stay safer by making costumes more visible. Adding reflective tape or stickers to costumes and bags, and having children carry flashlights or glow sticks, can help drivers spot them more easily.

Costumes should also fit properly and not obstruct a child’s vision. Families should use sidewalks and crosswalks, avoid darting into the street or crossing between parked vehicles, and remind children to look left, right and left again before entering the street.

Phones should be put away and earbuds removed while walking — particularly when crossing streets. AAA recommends that children younger than 12 trick-or-treat with adult supervision.

Beyond e-bikes and scooters, golf carts present another potential hazard on Halloween night — particularly when children are behind the wheel. Florida law requires anyone operating a golf cart to have either a driver’s license or a learner’s permit.