Halloween Deadliest Day 2014
Child Halloween Deaths Highest in Ten Years
October 31st Continues To Be Deadliest Day for Young Pedestrians
Portland, Oregon October 28, 2014
Research firm Sperling’s BestPlaces has released a new study that reveals some stark insights into just how dangerous trick-or-treating can be. Every Halloween there are stories about hazards such as tainted candy and “stranger danger,” but the real threat kids face when Trick-or-Treating is being struck by a motor vehicle.
BestPlaces analyzed more than four million records of auto fatalities from the Department of Transportation Fatality Analysis Reporting System. As the graph below shows, there have been 133 child pedestrian fatalities by motor vehicle in the years from 1990-2012. No other day of the year comes close, even the Fourth of July.
BestPlaces president Bert Sperling reveals that the last two years have shown an increase in child pedestrian deaths on Halloween, after decades of decline. “Since the 90’s, we’ve been really successful in decreasing these tragedies,” he noted.
But as the following graph reveals, after a low of only one death in 2010 and a high of 12 in 1996, there has been a surge of seven child motor vehicle deaths on Halloween in the each of the years 2011 and 2012.
“Hopefully by sharing these statistics we can get people to refocus on safety this year, and put an end to the recent increase in these tragedies,” reflected Sperling.
He also pointed out that the time period from 5-8 pm is when most of these accidents occur (see graph below).
“Please be careful out there with your little ones,” pleads Sperling. “Be sure to use crosswalks, as over 70% of these tragedies occur away from an intersection or crosswalk. Consider going out on the earlier side, and make sure your costumes don’t obscure your vision.”
About Sperling’s BestPlaces
Bert Sperling has been helping people find their own "Best Place" to live, work and retire for more than 20 years. He has been featured in the New York Times and on The Today show, and his bestselling books “Cities Ranked and Rated” and “Best Places to Raise Your Family” are published by John Wiley & Sons.
Sperling’s BestPlaces (www.bestplaces.net)
Telephone: 503-777-1636 E-mail: bert@bestplaces.net
Twitter: @bertsperling
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