FARS is a record of all motor-vehicle crashes that occur on public roads in the United States and result in the death of an occupant or nonmotorist within 30 days. This time period was selected because most outdoor Halloween activities among persons aged 5-14 years occur during these hours. Overall, among children aged 5-14 years, an average of four deaths occurred on Halloween during these hours each year, compared with an average of one death during these hours on every other day of the year. Halloween poses special environmental and behavioral risks compounded by the inherent limitations of the child's developmental stage. This period of darkness is lengthened by the return to Standard Time, which immediately precedes Halloween.
Black costumes can further limit the visibility of young pedestrians to drivers.
Sensory acuity may be decreased by masks that can restrict peripheral vision and hearing. Attention to sensory input may be decreased because of distractions, including urges to acquire the best candy, shouts from other children, eye-catching costumes and decorations, and time pressure to acquire candy. First, young children may lack the physical ability to rapidly cross the street, and their short stature limits their visibility to drivers. Developmental risk factors for childhood pedestrian injuries. Wilson MH, Baker SP, Teret SP, Shock S, Garbarino J. Saving children, a guide to injury prevention.