For some Connecticut communities, this will be the first time in three years that Halloween hasn’t been foiled by a major storm and the subsequent cleanup. Last year, it was Superstorm Sandy. In 2011, it was the October Nor’easter. With that in mind, AAA is offering a Halloween safety refresher.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, October 31 is one of the deadliest nights of the year for pedestrians. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle on Halloween.
Because of the weather, some of us haven’t encountered trick-or-treaters since 2010. Motorists need to be especially vigilant between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight, when pedestrians are most vulnerable. Slowing down, watching for trick-or-treaters who may dart out between cars or mid-block and designating a sober driver may save a life.
Simple steps to help parents keep their trick-or-treaters safe:
- Be bright on Halloween night. Carry a flashlight and place reflective tape or stickers on costumes.
- Opt for non-toxic face paint instead of masks, which may block a child’s line of vision.
- Review traffic safety rules. Remind children to never run out into the street and to only cross at intersections, preferably with marked cross walks.
- AAA recommends that parents accompany young trick-or-treaters, at least to the age of 12.
- Buckle up. If driving trick-or-treaters between neighborhoods, always use appropriate car seats and have children exit and enter on the passenger side of the vehicle.
- Remind children to walk and not run.
- Pay special attention when crossing driveways.
To help make roadways safer this Halloween, AAA offers motorists a few easy tips:
- Avoid neighborhood shortcuts. If possible, avoid cutting through residential streets where trick-or-treaters are likely to be present. When providing directions to partygoers, try not to route them through neighborhoods unnecessarily.
- 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 vehicle 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.
- Watch for children in the street. Excited trick-or-treaters, often in dark costumes, may not pay attention to traffic and dart out into the street mid-block or between cars.
- 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. If you plan to drink, always designate a sober driver.
