Every Halloween, monsters, zombies and ghouls fill the streets across the United States to celebrate. And if that’s not scary enough, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, October 31 is the deadliest night of the year for pedestrians.
“On Halloween, motorists need to be especially vigilant between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight, when pedestrians are most vulnerable,” said Jennifer Cook, AAA Washington spokesperson. “By drivers not getting behind the wheel after drinking and parents going over pedestrian safety precautions before going trick-or-treating, many vehicle-pedestrian crashes could be prevented and lives saved.”
Trick-or-treaters can stop by any AAA office in Washington or northern Idaho to pick up a free Trick-or-Treat candy bag with helpful safety tips listed on the front.
To help make the roadways safer this Halloween, AAA offers motorists a few easy tips:
• Avoid driving through neighborhoods. If possible, avoid cutting through residential streets where trick-or-treaters are likely to be present.
• Watch for children in the street. Excited trick-or-treaters, often in dark costumes, may not pay attention to cars and cross mid-block or from between parked cars.
• Slow down. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian is more than twice as likely to be killed if they’re hit by a car traveling at 35 mph compared to 25 mph. What seems like a small difference—just 10 mph — can be the difference between life and death.
• Drive sober. Alcohol-impaired drivers make up about one third of all motor vehicle deaths resulting in an average of one death every 45 minutes. Always designate a sober driver if you plan to drink. Visit www.PreventDUI.AAA.com to learn more.
A few simple steps can help parents keep their trick-or-treaters safe, too:
• Check costumes. Choose disguises that don’t obstruct vision, opt for non-toxic face paint instead of masks, and add reflective material or tape to keep kids visible.
• Trick-or-Treat together. AAA recommends that parents accompany young trick-or-treaters.
• Make a plan. Review trick-or-treat safety precautions and plan your route ahead of time. Remind children never to cross the street mid-block or from between parked cars.
• Buckle up. If driving trick-or-treaters between neighborhoods, always use appropriate seat belts or car seats and have children exit and enter on the passenger side of the vehicle.