Drive, trick-or-treat with caution to prevent pedestrian accidents

According to AAA, the most fatal pedestrian accidents occur on Halloween, October 31. Tonight, kids will be out running on the streets around New York, many wearing dark clothing and masks and running out into streets. AAA offers several safety tips for parents in order to try to reduce the number of fatal pedestrian accidents.

Motorists are also urged to use caution when driving around this evening particularly. Motorists should avoid using residential shortcuts because kids will be on these streets. Motorists should not drive above 25 mph when children or other pedestrians may be around because it has been shown that people are twice as likely to be killed by a car that hits them at 35 mph than one traveling at 25 mph. Also, don’t drink and drive.

Parents should trick-or-treat with their young children. Children on their own should practice their trick-or-treating route. Parents should remind kids about car safety. Kids should stop at the end of driveways to make sure a car isn’t backing up, should only cross at the end of the block and should not dart out between parked cars.

Kids’ costumes should not obstruct their ability to see. AAA recommends non-toxic face paint over masks. Parents should put reflective tape on their kids’ costumes so that they can be visible to cars. Kids should also carry a working flashlight.

Source: ABC 15, “Halloween is the deadliest night for pedestrians,” Oct. 25, 2011