AAA Auto Club Group is issuing reminders to both parents and trick-or-treaters to be alert and minimize distractions, especially when it comes to cell phones and social media.
AAA safety officials say that, with so many parents and teens using social media every day, they want to remind people that posting pictures and checking in on social media sites while trick-or-treating can be a risky proposition.
Officials say the potential for distraction can keep people from spotting potential dangers, such as sudden changes with signal lights or traffic at crossings.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year.
CDC officials say several factors contribute to the increased risk of pedestrian injuries, including fewer daylight hours at the end of October, the number of people walking their neighborhoods, trick-or-treaters frequently crisscrossing streets, and motorists traveling to and from Halloween events.
Safety officials say drinking and driving is also a factor in the safety of trick-or-treaters, with 23 percent of pedestrian fatalities on Halloween involving a drunk driver.
AAA officials say they encourage people who are out on Halloween to be alert, avoid distractions and never drive impaired.
Parents are advised to escort the youngest trick-or-treaters, and people of all ages are advised to make sure they're visible to traffic.
Drivers are being cautioned to take it extra slow in neighborhoods.
Motorists are also advised to keep a watchful eye out and drive with the lights on ... even in daylight conditions.
Officials say a car with its lights on is more likely to be seen than one traveling with its lights off under any conditions.