Unless you are dressing up as Batman for Halloween, then I would strongly advise you to stay off the roads when the sun goes down. In fact, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) tells us that nighttime driving puts pedestrians at a higher risk, especially when attempting to cross the street. 

I don’t have to remind you that Lubbock has MANY streets without any lighting. That’s something I’m still surprised at to this day. Regardless, it’s not rocket science that walking in the day is safer than walking in the dark, and TxDOT has some very sober statistics to prove it. 

What Time of Year is Most Dangerous for Pedestrians?

Not only does nighttime pose a higher risk to pedestrians, but did you know that the months of October and November see the highest number of pedestrians killed in car accidents compared to any other time of year?

Looking at last year’s data, there were a total of 694 pedestrians killed while walking on the street. 20% of that number occurred during October and November. It makes it even worse to know that 68% of all pedestrian fatalities last year happened at night. 

The leading theory as to why these two months in particular see the most fatalities is because the days are getting shorter starting November 1. This means more people are out and about before and after the sky is lit up. 

Regardless of what your opinion is of Daylight Savings Time, the fact of the matter is that walking around in the dark will always be more dangerous than when the sun is out. 

So, everyone enjoy this marathon of holidays that we are now in, and if you ever go outside at night, always be extra cautious of your surroundings. Vampires, goblins, and your uncle Joe passed out on the chair filled with stuffing are all scary, but getting hit by a car at night will always be worse.

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Just some important things to remember when you’re walking alone in the 806.

Gallery Credit: Chrissy

Halloween safety tips for families

This Halloween make sure to be as safe as possible especially with little ones walking around in the dark. Here are a few helpful Halloween safety tips.

Gallery Credit: CANVA

11 Things to Check Before Trick-or-Treaters Show Up at Your Door.

You don’t need to spend hours getting your house ready. Just take a quick walk around your property before the sun goes down, clear away potential hazards, and make sure your entrance is well-lit.

Gallery Credit: Unsplash/TSM