You might be more concerned about poisoned candy and hidden razor blazes on Halloween than by car wrecks. But statistics show that October 31st is actually the most deadly day of the year for pedestrians. The Pearland pedestrian accident lawyers at Denena Points, PC note that the largest numbers of accidents occur between 6 and 7 p.m. and affect children aged 10 to 4 years.
The dark and scary costumes favored for Halloween, as well as children’s exuberance that might lead them to dash suddenly across the street from between parked cars, and drivers’ natural tendency to not perceive pedestrians especially at night makes for a potentially deadly mix on Halloween night. Therefore, our Pearland pedestrian accident lawyers offer these Halloween safety tips to help Houston kids avoid being hit by cars while out trick-or-treating.
1. Stay in well-lit areas. Children should carry flashlights to be able to see and be seen. Modern LED flashlights are generally efficient and bright.
2. Children should stay in groups for safety. Groups crossing streets are easier for drivers to spot. Halloween is one of the top three drinking nights for adults, so it’s essential for children to be safe, conspicuous, and not take chances against possibly drunk drivers.
Parents should accompany and supervise trick-or-treating children.
Remind children not to cross the street in unlit areas, from between parked cars or other visual obstructions, or mid-block.
Mark costumes and trick-or-treat bags with reflective tape or fluorescent markers to improve visibility.
Avoid masks that obstruct a child’s vision. The Pearland pedestrian accident lawyers at Denena Points, PC mention that you could choose face paints, hats, or well-fitting masks that don’t block vision instead.
Make sure costumes aren’t so long that children will trip over them.
If you’re driving your children to trick-or-treat, make sure that younger children have properly fitting car seats and that older children use seatbelts. And make sure that all children exit and re-enter the car on the passenger side away from oncoming traffic.
Drivers on Halloween should try to avoid residential neighborhoods that could be filled with trick-or-treating children; avoid distractions; avoid alcohol or find a designated driver or alterative transportation; make an extra effort to watch for small pedestrians in dark clothing; and drive more slowly for safety. The Pearland pedestrian accident lawyers at Denena Points, PC emphasize that pedestrians are more than twice as likely to be killed when hit by a car traveling 35 mph than they are when hit by a car traveling 25 mph. 10 mph in your speed could mean the difference between life and death for a child. Click the link to read about some of the primary injury risks for children and adults on Halloween night.