Many people don’t realize that one of the most important tips for “Halloween safety” is taking precaution before crossing the street. According to SafeKids.org, children in particular are TWICE as likely to get hit and killed by a car on Halloween than they are at any other time of the year. In 2013 alone, 47% of the people who died in motor vehicle crashes on Halloween were between the ages of 15 and 19 years old.
The number of pedestrians on the streets during the Halloween season increases exponentially, which is why it is important to learn what you’re facing and how to avoid costly mistakes and unfortunate accidents.
Build Halloween Safety Into Your Costume
Pedestrians are always at an increased risk while walking at night, but things get particularly dangerous when everyone is dressed in dark and spooky costumes. If you’re going to be sending your little ones trick-or-treating (or if you’re planning on heading out yourself), always make sure that you either wear reflective safety gear or take other measures such as carrying flashlights. This will help ensure drivers can actually see you at all times.
Keep an Eye on Young Kids in Particular
According to SafeKids.org, children under the age of 10 have a much harder time correctly identifying road dangers due to their maturity level. In other words, they may be walking into an incredibly dangerous situation without even realizing it. This significantly increases their risk of injury or death, so please be mindful of young kids in particular.
Don’t Walk Where You Normally Wouldn’t Just Because It’s Halloween
According to one recent study, more than 70% of the accidents that occurred on or around Halloween actually occurred away from an intersection or crosswalk. This data comes from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis from a study that was conducted between 1990 and 2010. You would never walk in the middle of a street, as it would be incredibly dangerous, so why would you on October 31st? Always make sure both you and your children are following the rules of the road, even on Halloween. You’ll definitely be glad you did.
Harshbarger Law
At Harshbarger Law, we want Halloween to be a fun and spooky time for everyone. Nobody should ever have to suffer the devastating aftermath of a pedestrian accident or other motor vehicle incident, especially on a day most kids look forward to all year long. If you or a loved one has been injured in this type of situation, or if you’re looking for more information about personal injury law in general, please contact us today.