Halloween Driving

I came across a timely article while doing research for another blog entry today.

Halloween is later this week.

I’d never really thought of Halloween in relation to driving, but low and behold, there is a connection!

A “AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety analysis of national pedestrian fatality data has shown Halloween night (between 4 p.m. and midnight) is the deadliest night of the year for pedestrians.”

Spooky.

“The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Halloween is consistently one of the top three days for pedestrian injuries and fatalities, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year.”

Creepy.

And further, according to the CDC, “On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Children are at a greater risk of injury than adults because they are small, have trouble judging distances and speeds, and have little to no experience with traffic rules.”

Horrifying.

So, as a driver, what should you do? Here’s the CDC’s advice:

Remove distractions. Put your phone in the glovebox or the back seat.
Practice defensive driving. Be cautious and stay alert to reduce your risk of getting into a crash.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
Watch your speed. Pay attention to the speed limit and drive slower when you are around pedestrians.
Be prepared to stop. Trick-or-treaters may ignore crosswalks and traffic signals so stay alert. Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk – they may be stopped for a pedestrian.
Do not drive under the influence. Every 51 minutes, one person in the United States dies in a motor vehicle crash that involves an alcohol-impaired driver.

Good notes year-round, I’d say, not just Halloween.