It’s that time again: ghouls, ghosts, and zombies will soon be roaming throughout Idaho neighborhoods in search of sweet rewards, and AAA is reminding motorists and trick-or-treaters that a safety focus will help prevent some unexpected Halloween frights.
“Thousands of kids will take to the streets on Halloween night, some for the first time,” says Matthew Conde, public affairs director for AAA. “Drivers and parents need to do their part to keep everyone safe – Halloween is one of the deadliest days of the year, with children twice as likely to be killed by a car on Halloween night as on any other night of the year.”
Costumed adventurers can appear in unexpected places, so drivers should slow down and be especially vigilant in residential neighborhoods.
Here are some tips to have a safe and happy Halloween:
FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS AND PARENTS
Keep costumes cool and safe. Wear a costume that can be easily seen. Your costume should not obstruct your vision or prevent you from moving quickly. Face paints are a good alternative to masks, which can limit peripheral vision. Add reflective tape to your costume where appropriate.
“Camouflage and dark costumes can easily blend in with the surrounding environment at night,” Conde said. “It’s really important that parents provide their children with flashlights or glow sticks and bright, reflective trick-or-treat bags to carry with them.”
Don’t cut corners. Children and parents who are focused on the next candy conquest may be tempted to zig-zag back and forth across the street to houses with their lights on, but that can lead to an accident. Always cross at corners and designated crosswalks.
Put away the phones. Parents and kids should be focused on the fun, and not on distracting devices.
Stick to the safety plan. Travel with young children in familiar areas that are well-lit, preferably with sidewalks. If kids are old enough to go out on their own, establish a return time and route before they leave, and have them go in groups. “Parents should instruct their children not to eat any treats until they return home,” Conde said. “In addition, kids should never enter a stranger’s home or garage to retrieve candy.”
FOR DRIVERS ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT
Ditch the distractions. Please don’t use a smartphone or mobile device while driving on Halloween night – an excited child could unexpectedly dart across the street.
Drive sober. In recent years, almost half of motorist fatalities on Halloween night have involved a drunk-driving crash. “In a world of cabs, ride-hailing services, and the ‘friend network,’ there are plenty of ways to avoid driving drunk,” Conde said. “If you’ve been out celebrating, please find a responsible way to get home safe.”
Slow down. According to AAA’s research, a pedestrian who is hit by a vehicle traveling at 30 mph is twice as likely to be killed compared to a car traveling at 25 mph. On Halloween night, it’s a really good idea to drive below the speed limit in residential neighborhoods.
Be careful backing up. Your car could have a rear blind zone that may be hiding some young trick-or-treaters from view. Back-up cameras can help alleviate the problem, but don’t rely on technology alone. If necessary, inspect around the car before backing up, and use mirrors, too.
“We hope everyone will keep these safety basics in mind to have a Happy Halloween,” Conde said.
