Halloween Safety Tips from Hollingsworth Auto
It should come as no surprise that the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has announced that Halloween is the deadliest night of the year for pedestrians. As neighborhoods become playgrounds for hundreds of children scurrying from door to door in search of the next treat, and the streets become filled with cars carrying partying adults, the risk of fatalities are bound to increase. Unfortunately, this time of year can lead to a rise in accidents and injuries, so we have compiled some essential Halloween safety tips for drivers and pedestrians alike.
Halloween Driver Safety Tips
Put down the phone. If you are driving, focus on driving. If you need to check in, text, take pictures, or do anything that will take your attention off the road, pull over or delegate those tasks to a passenger.
Slow Down. Even going just a few miles over the speed limit in a residential neighborhood greatly increases the dangers for pedestrians sharing the road.
Pay Attention. Keep an eye out for trick-or-treaters. Younger pedestrians can be very unpredictable. 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.
Driver Sober. If you plan on driving, have a plan in place to avoid impairing substances. If your festivities do include impairing substances be sure to arrange a sober ride home in advance.
Halloween Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips:
Be visible. Light-colored clothing or costumes provide the best visibility to drivers. 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 or impaired. Save the social media updates for before or after you go trick-or-treating. Avoid checking your phone while walking or supervising children. Walking while impaired can also be just as dangerous a driving impaired.
Stay on sidewalks. If no sidewalks are available, always walk facing traffic and stay as far to the left of the roadway as possible.
Don’t trick-or-treat alone. Children should travel in groups, and those under 12 should have a parent accompany them.
