It’s that time of year when the leaves are changing color, the mornings are a little cooler, and our little ghouls, goblins, cowboys, superheroes, and princesses are out and about looking for some tricks or treats.

There were many “Trunk or Treat” events last weekend and will be some more this weekend.

With Halloween being this Saturday, I would like to remind all of some safety tips for a safe and enjoyable time.

Parents focus a lot of attention ensuring their little trick-or-treaters are safe on Halloween. But it may come as a surprise that most people involved in car/pedestrian crashes on Halloween night are adults.

Pedestrian crashes are historically high on Halloween night and one year there were 17 pedestrian-involved traffic crashes, three of which ended in the death of a pedestrian.

In those 17 crashes, 19 pedestrians were struck, four of them were under 16, and the majority was between 50 and 60 years of age.

“More people are struck by vehicles on Halloween than any other night of the year, especially between 4 and 8 p.m.,” Michael L. Prince, Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) director said. “Anyone out on Halloween night, regardless of age, should take extra care when walking or driving to prevent crashes and injuries.”

While pedestrians need to be aware of passenger cars and take extra care crossing streets, drivers should also be conscious of pedestrians and limit distractions inside the car to avoid crashes. Trick-or-treaters and their chaperones can stay safer going house to house by:

• Crossing at marked intersections.

• Looking left, right and left again before crossing the street.

• Wearing reflective clothing or carrying flashlights.

• Limiting clothing or masks which impair vision.

• Using sidewalks if available.

Motorists can avoid crashes by:

• Limiting the number of distractions, especially passengers, in their vehicle.

• Traveling slowly through neighborhoods especially over hills, around curves and approaching stop signs or cross walks.

• Entering and exiting driveways with caution.

• Keeping an extra eye on pedestrians.

Adult pedestrians and motorists should also limit alcohol this Halloween. In that same one year, six of the 17 pedestrian crashes involved alcohol.

Please do your part to make this event a memorable and safe one.

 

Any questions or comments please contact me at TrooperRob53@yahoo.com or call (269) 683-4411.