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By Philip Hensley, Master Trooper, Indiana State Police Sellersburg District
Halloween is a fun holiday for children and adults alike, but traffic safety is paramount to ensure that the enjoyment is safe for everyone.
More pedestrian children are struck by motor vehicles on Halloween than any other day of the year. The increase in foot traffic during twilight or dark hours makes it extraordinarily important that extra attention is paid to the roads, especially in populated neighborhoods. Here are a few points to remember while our trick-or-treaters are out and about:
More pedestrian children are struck by motor vehicles on Halloween than any other day of the year. The increase in foot traffic during twilight or dark hours makes it extraordinarily important that extra attention is paid to the roads, especially in populated neighborhoods. Here are a few points to remember while our trick-or-treaters are out and about:
- Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.
- Take the extra time to look for children before proceeding through intersections.
- Pull into and out of driveways carefully and slowly.
- Do not be distracted by cell phones or other items in the vehicle, devote your attention to your driving.
- Turn on headlights earlier than normal to not only help with your vision, but to become more visible to children and pedestrians.
Impeding weather looks to bring rain showers during trick-or-treat hours on Thursday. This will create additional visibility issues not only for motorists, but children as well as they will likely be running from house to house to avoid being wet. Utilize windshield wipers and headlights, slow down, and increase following distances while driving as should be done in any weather situation.
Many communities have adjusted their trick-or-treat hours to Friday, November 1 to adapt to the incoming weather on Halloween. Be mindful if your community or neighborhood has changed their trick-or-treat hours. For areas that you are unfamiliar with, plan to expect that they may have changed their times as well, just to be safe.
Parents are encouraged to send their children out in light-colored costumes or clothing, and place something reflective on them to assist in making the children more visible. Face make-up is always preferable over masks, as masks can limit the field of vision for a child.
Have fun and be safe during your Halloween holiday!
Many communities have adjusted their trick-or-treat hours to Friday, November 1 to adapt to the incoming weather on Halloween. Be mindful if your community or neighborhood has changed their trick-or-treat hours. For areas that you are unfamiliar with, plan to expect that they may have changed their times as well, just to be safe.
Parents are encouraged to send their children out in light-colored costumes or clothing, and place something reflective on them to assist in making the children more visible. Face make-up is always preferable over masks, as masks can limit the field of vision for a child.
Have fun and be safe during your Halloween holiday!