Headed out on Halloween? Here’s trick-or treat times for Lexington, surrounding counties

Aaron Mudd

As a father himself, Lexington Police Sgt. Raymond Miller keeps his advice for local trick-or-treaters and their parents simple and straightforward: “Be patient, slow down and have fun.”

Lexington’s trick-or-treating hours Monday are from 6 to 8 p.m., just before it gets dark and when visibility starts to diminish along roadways.

It’s important for drivers commuting through neighborhoods to be mindful of trick-or-treaters, but we also asked Miller what parents can do to keep their children safe on Halloween this year. Here’s what to know about trick-or-treating hours and some safety tips from law enforcement.

Drivers: Slow down and eliminate distractions

If you plan to be driving during trick-or-treating hours this Halloween, Miller advises you “slow down and pay attention.”

If you’re passing through a residential area, Miller also recommends rolling down your windows, turning off your radio and turning on your headlights early. This will clue you in to what’s going on along the roadway, and even if you don’t see a trick-or-treater crossing the street, you should be able to hear them.

Miller says drivers should also make sure they eliminate distractions. That includes “anything that’s going to take your eyes off the road” – like your cell phone.

Automotive group AAA also endorses these safety tips for drivers on Halloween:

  • Remain seated and buckled. Everyone in the vehicle should remain seated and buckled at all times, even when parked on the side of the road.

  • Designate a navigator. If you need to check a map, take pictures or do anything that will take your attention off the road, pull over or delegate those tasks to a passenger.

  • If you are driving, focus on driving. Even going just a few miles over the speed limit in a residential neighborhood increases the dangers for cyclists and pedestrians sharing the road.

  • Keep an eye out for trick-or-treaters. Pedestrians can be very unpredictable, especially children. Be on the lookout for children’s shoes or costumes under vehicles to make sure they are not crossing the street between parked cars in neighborhoods.

Parents: make sure children are safe before they head out

As a father to four children, all either 7 years old or younger, Sgt. Miller knows children have their costume preferences for Halloween.

If they won’t wear light-colored clothing, try to compromise with them and have them wear a glow stick or glow-in-the-dark sticker.

“Anything that can make them just have high visibility,” he said.

If your children are younger, you should go trick-or-treating with them. Remember to cross at street corners only, use crossing signals and look both ways first, Miller said.

“Some of these conversations you can have before” heading out with your children, he said.

AAA offers similar advice to pedestrians, urging trick-or-treaters to:

  • Be visible. Light-colored clothing or costumes provide the best visibility to motorists. If unavailable, try adding reflective material or tape to costumes to increase visibility. Giving your child a glow stick or flashlight to carry also increases their chances of seeing and being seen by drivers.

  • Cross the street responsibly. Cross using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look both ways before crossing the street and keep an eye on the road while are you are crossing. Remind your child to not cross the street mid-block or run out between parked cars in neighborhoods.

  • Don’t walk distracted. Save the social media updates for before or after you go trick-or-treating. Avoid checking your phone while walking or supervising children.

  • Stay on sidewalks. If no sidewalks are available, always walk facing traffic and stay as far to the left of the roadway as possible.

Trick or Treating hours in Fayette and nearby counties

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