Trick-or-treat night is approaching for our local communities. This means that children will be out and about during evening hours, among drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Halloween is one of the top three days for pedestrian injuries and fatalities. 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.
Here is a list of tips for both drivers and pedestrians to stay safe and avoid injuries:
Drivers
- Drive slowly, especially in residential neighborhoods. Drive at least 5 miles per hour below the posted speed limit to allow yourself extra time to react to children who may dart into the street.
- Watch for children on roadways, medians and curbs.
- Avoid distractions such as use of a mobile device.
- Watch for children darting into the streets. Expect the unexpected. Children may not be paying attention to traffic and cross the street mid-block or between parked cars.
- Yield to young pedestrians.
- Carefully enter and exit driveways and alleys.
- Turn on your headlights even in the daylight to make your vehicle more visible to trick-or-treaters.
Pedestrians:
- Teach your children how to safely cross the street. They should look both ways, cross only at corners or crosswalks, and listen for oncoming vehicles.
- Brighten up your children with flashlights, glow sticks, and/or reflective tape on their costumes to make them more visible to drivers.
- Stay on sidewalks and avoid walking in the streets if possible. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
- Try to trick-or-treat in a group.
- Wear costumes that don’t obstruct your vision.
Source: AAA Exchange
If you, your friends, or your family members are injured in a pedestrian motor vehicle accident caused by someone else's negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries. At Metzger Wickersham, we have extensive experience dealing with pedestrian accidents. With over 135 years of representation to Pennsylvania communities, we have earned a reputation for being one of the most trusted personal injury legal teams in the state.
Contact us at (888) 286-2850 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation today.
