Number of Californians Hit by Cars Jumps 25% On Halloween

SACRAMENTO, Calif Oct. 28, 2010; The number of people in California hit by cars jumps 25% on Halloween versus the rest of October according to Allstate Insurance Company. The insurer recently looked at its California auto insurance claims involving pedestrians over the past three years and found the dramatic jump in October accidents at trick-or-treat time.

"Because this Halloween falls on a weekend, there may be even more kids and cars on the road late at night, potentially creating a dangerous situation," says Brook Daly, exclusive agent for Allstate in San Diego. "Whether driving or walking with kids during trick-or-treating, it's important to remain alert."

Crunching the numbers on car-pedestrian collisions in California, Allstate is adding a new twist to Halloween traffic tips; don't text and walk. The insurer asks Californians to keep their eyes on the road whether driving or on foot, during Halloween and throughout the coming holidays. Even with Halloween's scary spike in car accidents involving pedestrians, December 10 is the most dangerous day of the year for Californians on foot near traffic.

Three Halloween and Holiday Traffic Tips

Don't Text and Walk

Children and parents should focus on traffic and not texting when trick-or-treating. Keep your eyes up and have an adult or an older, responsible youth supervise children. Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow.

Don't Text and Drive

Focus on the road, not your cell phone. Neighborhoods that don't normally have pedestrian or bicycle traffic may experience an increase in activity on Halloween. Children are excited and may forget to stop, look, and listen before crossing the street.

Don't Drink and Drive

If you are attending a Halloween party, designate a driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reminds revelers that no costume can conceal a drunk driver.

About Allstate

The Allstate Corporation is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.