Halloween should be fun, but we cannot ignore the accidents that happen on Halloween night. According to U.S. Census data, there are about 41 million potential trick-or-treaters between the ages of 5 and 14. Add that statistic to the fact that in 2010, 41 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31 to 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1) involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher, Halloween night requires added attention to safety to all those walking from house to house.
According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation, in four out of six years between 2006 and 2010, more pedestrians under the age of 21 were killed by cars on Oct. 31 than on Oct. 30 or Nov. 1. Taking steps now and remembering them on Halloween night can prevent a pedestrian vs. car accident.
Here a few tips to reduce car v. pedestrian accidents this Halloween:
1.? Increase pedestrian visibility on Halloween by having kids carry a flashlight or glowstick and have them wear glow-in-the-dark necklaces or reflective tape to costumes.
2.? Loose fitting clothing and oversized shoes can trip a trick-or-treater when crossing the street so they should practice walking in their costume before the thrill of getting to the next house.
3. Pirate swords and masks are cool, but are dangerous and masks can obscure vision. Thus, leave the swords at home (or make one from a poster board and aluminum foil) and use face paint instead of masks.
4. Remind kids to cross at crosswalks or at a corner. They should also always make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street and ALWAYS look left, right and left again.
5. Take out the headphones and no texting and walking especially when crossing the road.
6.? Avoid the decorative contact lenses -- they could blue your vision at night.
7.? Many car accidents happen when a vehicle is pulling out of a driveway so kids should always look for cars when walking by a driveway.
Halloween trick-or-treaters need to be careful, but so do drivers. Drivers need to know that kids will be out of the streets looking for candy and not looking for cars. Avoid a car accident with a child by increasing your look-out for pedestrians. A few extra seconds could prevent a pedestrian vs. car accident.
Prepare now to have a safe and enjoyable Halloween. Be safe and watch out for those who aren't!
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Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Noyes (Captain American this Halloween with his 6-year-old Spiderman) represents those injured in car accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents and other types of injuries. Call him today at 727-724-7883 for a free consultation or simply click her to schedule a meeting. Attorney Noyes' Clearwater personal injury law firm - Perenich Caulfield Avril & Noyes - has been caring for clients since 1955. Benefit from their experience.
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