Scary statistics reveal roadside dangers for young trick-or-treaters this halloween

• Road traffic accidents involving pedestrians aged 10 or under spike on 31st October, rising by 75 per cent
• Bad light, increased pedestrian numbers and daylight savings all impact the rate of accidents
• Parents and drivers advised to keep an eye out for young trick-or-treaters this Halloween
   

New analysis¹ of road traffic accident data by Churchill Car Insurance reveals the increased risk of being hit by a car posed to young trick-or-treaters this Halloween. October 31st sees a higher number of children aged 10 and under being hit by cars on Britain’s roads than at any point during the four-week period around Halloween². 

On average, road traffic incidents increase by 75 per cent compared to the rest of the month, with 49 child pedestrians involved in road traffic accidents on Halloween.  This is nearly twice the average number for the two weeks before and after Halloween (17th October to 14th November).

Analysis also shows a second spike in the number of road traffic accidents involving a vehicle and a child occurs five days later, on November 5th – Bonfire Night.

Churchill advises parents to be extra vigilant when letting their children go trick-or-treating, and to ensure that they are always accompanied, especially when leaving the house after dark. It is not just children who are at risk on Halloween either, as there is an average of 295 accidents involving adults on this day every year, which is 12 per cent higher than the annual average.

Steve Barrett, head of Car Insurance at Churchill, said: “While it is important to remember that the overall number of accidents involving child pedestrians on Britain’s roads is thankfully relatively low, this analysis shows that the relative risk they face during Halloween and Bonfire Night does significantly increase.”

“The dangerous combination of a higher number of children on the roads, poor lighting and the clocks going back three days before Halloween, means that drivers need to be extra vigilant this October 31st. Halloween is an exciting time for both children and parents, so we urge everybody to take extra care while trick-or-treating to avoid any accidents.”

The analysis also revealed the impact time of day has on the likelihood of a child pedestrian being hit by a vehicle. On a standard day, nearly half (46 per cent) of all child pedestrian road accidents occur in the late afternoon (between 3pm and 6pm), which is likely to be a result of children leaving school. After school is noticeably higher than before school, where 12 per cent of accidents take place between 6am and 9am. A further 19 per cent of accidents occurred between 6pm and midnight, highlighting the danger for children posed by going out after dark.

On Halloween, however, the proportion of incidents between 3pm and 6pm falls to 31 per cent, with 47 per cent of children hit by a car taking place between 6pm and 9pm. On a normal day this would be 18 per cent.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

¹ Churchill Car Insurance analysis of road traffic accident data involving pedestrians aged 10 or under for the period 17th October to 14th November between 2013 and 2016, last published by the Department for Transport on 31 October 2017.

² Analysis of most recent data sets available (2013-2016)

For further information please contact:

Naomi Kombe 
Media Relations Executive
Direct Line Group
Tel: 01651 832 895
Email: naomi.kombe@directlinegroup.co.uk

Samantha Stewart
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel: 0207 282 2856
Email: samantha.stewart@citigatedewerogerson.com

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.  

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com