Plan Ahead to Keep Children Safe on Halloween

While witches and ghosts are scary, the real horror of Halloween comes from a frightful statistic – on average, twice as many children are killed by a car while walking on Halloween than any other night of the year, according to Safe Kids USA.  On a night when many children spend hours in close proximity to cars as they trick-or-treat through neighborhoods, pedestrian safety should be a top priority for motorists and parents.

“Halloween is an exciting, yet very dangerous night for children,” said Jenny M. Robinson, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.  “ advises motorists and parents to make pedestrian safety a top priority on Halloween night.  Motorists should slow down and get rid of distractions in the car when driving through neighborhoods where children are trick-or-treating, while parents should accompany their children to ensure they cross streets safely, walk on sidewalks, slow down and stay alert.”

Pedestrian safety is not just the responsibility of motorists.  Parents must do their part to help keep their kids safe while trick-or-treating.

Pedestrian Safety Tips for Halloween Night

Motorists should:

• Slow down in residential neighborhoods
• Be alert and take extra time to look for kids
• Slowly and carefully enter and exit driveways or alleyways
• Turn on your lights
• Reduce distractions in the car – cell phone, GPS, loud music

Parents should:

• Cross the street safely at corners – remind kids to look left, right and left again before crossing
• Walk on sidewalks or paths
• Go slow – walk, don’t run
• See and be seen – carry flashlights and/or glow sticks, use reflective tape on costumes or treat bags
• Stay in groups, especially when crossing the street
• Choose safe and non-obstructive costumes

“Keeping kids safe is a challenge on Halloween night,” said Robinson.  “However, if motorists and parents do their part to make pedestrian safety a priority, they will make Halloween fun for everyone and save lives.”

Information courtesy of Jenny M. Robinson, AAA Mid-Atlantic