Halloween Marks an Increase in Child Pedestrian Deaths

Halloween is fast approaching, which surely you hear everyday if you have a young child. Did you know that pedestrian fatalities among children 5 to 14 years increase 400-500% on Halloween, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)?

There are so many factors involved in this, and we could easily get lost amid all of the information. However, for the purpose of this entry I am going to focus mainly on the things that involve cars and drivers. I am not sure how else to relay this other just a bullet list, so here you go:


1. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.


2. Drive extra slow, because children will be walking in the roadway, on curbs and medians, running across the roads, blinded by their scary masks and poorly illuminated by their dark costumes.


3. WATCH for children darting out from between parked cars or running out from driveways. Indeed, plan on it-- and drive as through you anticipate this to occur.


4. Enter and exit driveways, alleys, parking lots, etc very carefully.


The fact that Halloween is on a Sunday night this year makes it all the more lethal, because weekend party goers will be on the road at the same time our children will be trick-or-treating. If you are hosting a pray, please provide nonalcoholic options for drivers and alternative methods of transportation. If you are attending a party, please take your responsibility to other seriously, and do not allow them to drink and drive.


Next, reminder for what parents can do to help protect their children:

• Adult supervision for all children under the age of 10


• Make sure your children are aware of all traffic/pedestrian safety rules.


• Keep the groups together.


• Costumes should not be so long that children trip on them.


• If possible, use makeup instead of masks. Masks are more likely to obstruct a child's vision.


• Dress in light-colored clothes and using retro-reflective marking on clothes and shoes to provide better visibility to others.


• A flashlight is a good idea, however, make sure your child knows not to distract drivers by shining it into cars.

Have a Safe and fun Halloween!!!

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, call Blake Law Firm today at 602-274-7000 or visit our website at: http://www.blakefirm.com/ to schedule a free consultation.