October 29, 2025, Vancouver: Today, the ABC majority on Vancouver City Council defeated a motion from OneCity Councillor Lucy Maloney that would have made it quick, easy, and free for residents to close their streets to motor vehicle traffic on Halloween night. The motion also called on the City to use its communications channels to discourage non-essential driving on Halloween — the most dangerous night of the year for children walking outside.
A recent UBC study found that children between the ages of 4 and 8 are ten times more likely to be struck and killed by a driver on Halloween night compared to other autumn nights.
Kids running around their neighbourhood in excitement shouldn’t have to compete with cars. This motion was a simple, practical way to make Halloween safer and more joyful for families across the city.
Instead, Council chose inaction. ABC Councillor Montague (who lives in North Vancouver) amended the motion to eliminate the key block party component, while also claiming that the Vancouver Police Department already discourages non-essential driving on Halloween. A review of a decade’s worth of VPD communications found no examples of this. Instead, their Halloween reminders focus on “adding reflectors and glowsticks to costumes” and “wearing lighter-coloured costumes,” language that shifts responsibility for safety onto children rather than drivers.
This kind of victim-blaming messaging has no place in a city that says it values road safety. Every year, kids are told to be more visible so that drivers can continue to be dangerous. ABC’s decision tonight doubles down on that backwards thinking.
Vision Zero Vancouver thanks Councillor Maloney for bringing this motion forward, and Councillors Orr and Fry for speaking strongly in support. We are very disappointed that ABC chose not to prioritize children’s safety on the most dangerous night of the year; but we’re grateful to the councillors who stood up for common sense and safer streets for everyone.
Vision Zero Vancouver 