With Halloween and the fall time change on the same weekend, AAA urges drivers to watch for trick-or-treaters, plan for a sober ride home and avoid drowsy driving
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oct. 26, 2026 – Halloween and the end of daylight saving time will collide this weekend, creating a triple threat on Oklahoma roads: more child pedestrians, more impaired drivers and more fatigued motorists.
Just hours after the celebrations wind down, daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, when clocks turn back one hour. AAA is urging drivers, parents, trick-or-treaters, partygoers and hosts to plan ahead for a weekend when visibility, impairment and fatigue could converge on streets and highways.
AAA Halloween Safety Tips for Parents, Trick-or-Treaters and Drivers
Drivers
Slow down and watch for children near or entering the road.
Put distractions away and stay focused.
Use headlights, even before dark.
Enter driveways and alleys carefully, especially when backing up.
Skip neighborhood shortcuts while trick-or-treaters are out.
Parents and Trick-or-Treaters
Choose visible costumes that do not restrict vision.
Use flashlights, glow sticks and reflective material to make children more visible.
Have a responsible adult accompany young trick-or-treaters.
Stay on sidewalks; if none are available, walk facing traffic.
Cross at corners or crosswalks—never between parked cars.
Look both ways and watch for turning or backing vehicles.
Travel in groups and stay on a familiar route.
Visit only well-lit homes and never enter a stranger’s home.
“Drivers should expect the unexpected on Halloween night,” said Shawn Steward, Public and Government Affairs Manager for AAA Club Alliance in Oklahoma. “Children can enter the roadway without warning, especially in dark costumes. Slow down, eliminate distractions and stay alert in neighborhoods.”
Weekend Celebrations: Plan a Sober Ride
With Halloween falling on a Saturday, AAA expects more holiday parties and reminds drivers that impaired driving remains one of the deadliest threats on Oklahoma roads.
“Halloween on a Saturday means more people may be celebrating late into the night, If alcohol or another impairing substance is part of the celebration, make the safe choice before the first drink—designate a sober driver, use a rideshare or stay overnight,” added Steward.
Tips for a Safe Halloween Celebration:
Party Goers
Plan a sober ride before celebrations begin.
Use a rideshare, public transit or a sober driver.
Do not walk alone while impaired.
Stop an impaired person from driving and help arrange a safe ride.
Report suspected impaired drivers to law enforcement.
Party Hosts
Ask guests about their plans for a safe ride home when they arrive.
Offer alcohol-free drinks and monitor guests.
Collect keys from guests who are drinking.
Arrange rides or overnight accommodations.
Fall Back: Stay Rested and Prepare for Earlier Darkness
The end of daylight saving time adds another risk to Halloween weekend. Although clocks “fall back” at 2 a.m. Sunday, late-night celebrations can still leave drivers fatigued, while earlier sunsets reduce visibility for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. AAA Foundation research estimates drowsy driving was involved in 18% of traffic fatalities from 2017-2021.
“The extra hour on the clock is not a substitute for a full night of sleep—especially after a late Halloween celebration,” Steward said. “Drowsiness slows reaction time, weakens judgment and can cause brief ‘microsleeps’ behind the wheel. Drivers should aim for at least seven hours of sleep, avoid medications that cause drowsiness, and pull over in a safe place if they have trouble keeping their eyes open, drift from their lane or cannot remember the last few miles.”
About AAA
AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 65.2 million members nationwide and more than 450,000 members in Oklahoma. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a non-stock, membership corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, find local gas prices and electric vehicle charging stations, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information on joining or renewing a Membership, visit www.AAA.com. Follow us on X: @AAAOKNews
