Spooky season is here: ICBC shares safety tips to keep Halloween fun, not frightening

October 29, 2025

If results from ICBC’s Insight Panel* are any indication, Halloween this year is shaping up to be a fun-filled busy weekend of spooky Halloween activities and celebrations throughout the province.

We asked over 2,600 respondents about their Halloween plans this October; 80% say they’ll be handing out treats to trick-or-treaters, 57% are decorating their home or yard, 34% will be dressing up in a costume, 24% will watch a horror movie and 23% say they’re visiting a pumpkin patch this year.

Additionally, 24% say they’ll be supervising trick-or-treaters on Halloween night, and when the trick-or-treating is over, 17% are planning to host or attend a Halloween party.

“Halloween should be full of fun, not fright,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “Slow down, watch for pedestrians, and if you’re celebrating, plan a safe way home. Let’s keep the scares on the doorstep, not the roads.”

We also asked our panel members if they plan on driving on All Hallows’ Eve; 32% say they are likely to be behind the wheel at some point on Halloween night.

“Halloween isn’t a typical night on our roads, and it’s important for everyone to be aware of the added risks, whether you’re behind the wheel or out walking,” said Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC road safety manager. “We’re asking drivers to stay focused and avoid distractions, and for pedestrians to make sure they’re visible with flashlights or reflective gear. Let’s keep the night fun and safe for everyone.”

To help keep Halloween fun and fright-free, ICBC and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services have teamed up to share some not-so-scary safety social media content social media content. Check it out on ICBC’s Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and YouTube.

“We’re very excited to partner with ICBC this year to help raise awareness on the importance of safety this Halloween,” said Matthew Trudeau, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services public information officer. “The last thing we want to do on Halloween is respond to a call involving a collision and injury in the city. Please drive with caution and enjoy Halloween responsibly with your family and friends.”

As Halloween approaches, ICBC is reminding everyone to keep safety top of mind with a few simple tips for a fun, worry-free night.

Tips for drivers:

• Manage your speed accordingly. Obey the posted speed limit at all times and be ready to travel even slower in some areas with high activity on Halloween night. Managing your speed is essential in residential areas where children will be out trick-or-treating on Friday evening. Driving at a manageable speed will give you more time to stop in case a child runs across the street unexpectedly.

• Keep your phone out of sight and out of mind. Distracted driving is one of the main factors in crashes involving pedestrians. Always leave your phone alone while driving. With so many children, teens and families out on Halloween night, it's important to stay focused on the road and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

• Don’t be in a hurry. If you’ll be driving on Halloween night, give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Many drivers will be moving slowly as they watch out for trick-or-treaters. If a vehicle is slowing down or even stopped in front of you, don't try to pass it. The driver may be stopping to let children cross the road or for a hazard you can't see.

• Be extra alert. Expect the unexpected on Halloween night. Children tend to have their minds more on treats than road safety on Halloween. Anticipate seeing children suddenly dart across the road or walking in unexpected places like driveways, alleys and in parking lots.

Tips to keep young ones safe:

• Be easy to see. Many costumes can be dark and hard to see for drivers at night. Encourage your child to wear a lighter-coloured costume. Add reflective tape to their outfit and treat bag. Have them or someone in the group to use a flashlight or headlamp to help stand out in the dark.

• Know your route and ensure it’s safe. The best trick-or-treat route is familiar, well established, direct and away from busy main roads. If possible, organize a group to trick-or-treat together. Walking in a group will make you and your children more visible to drivers.

• Obey rules of the road. The rules of the road don’t change on Halloween. When trick-or-treating with your child, always walk on sidewalks and cross at crosswalks. If there is no sidewalk, walk as far to the edge of the road as possible, facing traffic. For teens that are trick-or-treating with friends, review the rules of the road and remind them to work their way up one side of the street, instead of crossing back and forth.

Tips for adult celebrations:

• Have a plan to get home safe. If your Halloween celebrations are going to involve alcohol, plan your way home before you head out for the night. Arrange for a designated driver or use other options like a taxi, ridesharing or transit to get home safely.

• Enjoy fireworks responsibly. In areas that allow the purchase and display of fireworks, light your fireworks in a clear, open and safe space. Lighting fireworks on or near the road is not safe for you, pedestrians or drivers on Halloween night.

Regional statistics**

• An average of 152 people are injured in 517 crashes on Halloween in the Lower Mainland.

• An average of 31 people are injured in 121 crashes on Halloween on Vancouver Island.

• An average of 26 people are injured in 115 crashes on Halloween in the Southern Interior.

• An average of 10 people are injured in 53 crashes Halloween in the North Central region.

**Crash and injury statistics are from ICBC data (5-year average, 2019-2023) for the 24-hour period on October 31.

*ICBC Insight Panel survey was conducted from October 1 to October 7, 2025. A total of 2,616 panel members completed the online survey. ICBC’s Insight Panel members are self-selected , and the panel’s demographic make-up doesn’t mirror that of the broader population of British Columbia. As a result, the findings of this survey are reflective of the attitudes and behaviours of the ICBC Insight Panel only and can’t be projected for the broader B.C. population. More information on ICBC’s Insight Panel, including how to sign up to be a member, is available on icbc.com.