Halloween Traffic Safety Tips for Parents and Kids in North Carolina
With Halloween being one of the most high-risk nights for pedestrians, particularly young ones, taking extra precautions around traffic is essential. Kids are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Here’s how you can keep Halloween safe, enjoyable, and accident-free.
For Parents and Guardians:
1. Cross Streets Safely and Teach Awareness
- Use Crosswalks and Corners Only: Make it a rule that children only cross at crosswalks or at intersections. Even if it means taking the long way, emphasize the importance of these crossing points.
- Teach the “Left-Right-Left” Rule: Remind kids to look left, then right, and left again before crossing. Practicing this helps them understand the importance of double-checking before stepping off the curb.
- Don’t Dart Between Cars: Kids can be tempted to cross mid-street when they see friends or want to get to the next house. Teach them to never cross between parked cars, which limits visibility for both them and drivers.
2. Make Sure Kids Are Visible to Drivers
- Bright, Reflective Costumes: Choosing bright colors or adding reflective tape can increase visibility. Reflective stickers and glow-in-the-dark accessories are easy additions that go a long way.
- Flashlights and Glow Sticks: Equip each child with a flashlight or glow stick to increase their visibility on dimly lit streets.
- Buddy System: For older kids who may be trick-or-treating with friends, establish a buddy system so they’re always visible and accountable to each other.
3. Walk, Don’t Run
- Set a “Walking Only” Rule: Establish a no-running rule for the evening to reduce the risk of falls and sudden dashes into traffic.
- Take Sidewalks Whenever Possible: Stick to sidewalks instead of streets. If a neighborhood lacks sidewalks, have kids walk on the far edge, facing traffic so they can see cars coming.
4. Adjust Costumes for Maximum Mobility and Visibility
- Avoid Masks that Limit Peripheral Vision: Face paint is often a safer alternative than masks, which can impair a child’s ability to see to the sides.
- Comfortable Shoes and Shorter Hemlines: Make sure costumes don’t drag on the ground or obstruct movement, which could cause a child to trip near traffic.
For Drivers:
1. Slow Down and Stay Alert
- Reduce Speed in Residential Areas: Halloween night requires slower-than-usual driving. Reducing speed gives drivers more time to react to children who may step unexpectedly into the road.
- High-Alert Driving During Peak Trick-or-Treat Hours: Trick-or-treaters are out between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., which coincides with sunset. Be especially careful during this time.
2. Use Extra Caution at Intersections
- Yield to Pedestrians, Even if They Aren’t at a Crosswalk: Kids may not always follow crossing rules, so be prepared to yield when you see them at intersections.
- Stop Fully and Look Carefully at Stop Signs: Many trick-or-treaters will be crossing neighborhood intersections. Make full stops, and look carefully for any children walking near the curb or about to cross.
3. Avoid Distractions
- Eyes on the Road: With so many children in costumes, it’s essential to stay focused and keep cell phones or other distractions put away.
- Turn on Headlights Earlier in the Evening: With reduced daylight, turning on headlights as early as possible increases visibility and helps others see you coming, even in the neighborhood.
4. Be Especially Cautious in Driveways and Alleys
- Check for Trick-or-Treaters When Backing Out: Kids may pass through driveways and alleys, so take extra care when backing out. Use backup cameras if available, but don’t rely on them solely.
- Keep an Eye on Sidewalks and Curbs: Some kids may wait on sidewalks or stand near curbs, so keep an eye out to avoid any close calls.
Following these enhanced tips can make Halloween safer for everyone, and if an accident does happen, remember that RHD Legal is here to provide support. With our vast experience in personal injury cases, we can help you navigate any legal concerns if you or a loved one is injured. Call us at 919-246-4001 or use our online contact form for assistance.
