BATON ROUGE — For many families, Halloween means dressing up in costumes and going door to door for candy. Behind the celebrations, however, a growing safety concern is emerging on Louisiana roads as traffic fatalities continue to climb during the holiday.

State highway safety data shows eight people died in Halloween-related crashes in 2023. That figure rose to 13 in 2024 and reached 16 statewide in 2025.

Pedestrian safety is also a major concern. During Halloween 2025, vehicle-pedestrian crashes injured 639 people across Louisiana.

Greg Fischer, a spokesman for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, said drivers must stay alert for children walking through neighborhoods on Halloween night.

"Remember there are going to be kids on the road, and pedestrian safety is a serious issue in Baton Rouge and across the state," Fischer said.

With these risks in mind, some parents are reconsidering traditional trick-or-treating and opting for organized alternatives.

Keonta Courtney says she prefers taking her children to trunk-or-treat events, where families can celebrate in a controlled environment.

"It's better to come to activities such as this so all the kids can be involved because it's safer and security is around," Courtney said.

The City of Baker has embraced the trend, with local law enforcement hosting its annual trunk-or-treat event for the ninth consecutive year.

Baker Police Chief Carl Dunn says traditional trick-or-treating can expose children to several safety hazards, especially when walking long distances through neighborhoods.

"This could be 60 houses that will stretch several blocks. Some blocks are well lit, some are not. You have the danger of traffic. You got the danger of dark areas where you can't keep an eye on your child," Dunn said.

Baton Rouge police are also urging parents to remain vigilant.

BRPD official L'Jean McKneely encouraged parents to walk alongside their children, keep them supervised and ensure costumes feature reflective gear.

"Be with your kids as they're walking. Make sure that you're with them, number one. Don't leave them unsupervised. Make sure they're wearing some reflective gear," L'Jean said.

McKneely added that trunk-or-treat events lower traffic risks by keeping families in a single location rather than walking across busy streets.

Whether families choose neighborhood trick-or-treating or a trunk-or-treat, safety officials emphasize visibility and awareness. Drivers should slow down, watch for pedestrians and never drive impaired, while parents should closely supervise young trick-or-treaters.