Safety Tips to Prevent Halloween Pedestrian Accidents
Halloween is a holiday favorite among young and old alike. Adults get the chance to shed normal attire in favor of a costume while children look forward to canvassing the neighborhood in search of tasty treats. Amid all the fun, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers of personal injuries due to Halloween pedestrian accidents, which are unfortunately during the holiday. The following offers tips to protect yourself and others, whether you are headed out to your local watering hole with friends or enjoying the night with family.
Preventing Halloween Pedestrian Accidents
The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for car accidents and injuries involving pedestrians. Each October, these Halloween pedestrian accidents claim more than 6,500 lives, while resulting in over 150,000 serious and potentially life threatening personal injuries.
In Charleston and in other towns through the Lowcountry and Upstate, Halloween offers opportunities for parties, hayrides, and haunted houses. With the overall increase in pedestrian traffic, problems can arise when driving or walking along busy streets, in parking lots, and through intersections. To help ensure the night remains fun and injury free, the NSC recommends
the following tips:
- If you are in costume either while driving or walking, take off any masks and adjust your outfit so it does not restrict your view or movements.
- Drive slower than normal and be alert for pedestrians.
- When walking, use crosswalks and make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you.
- Avoid driver or pedestrians distractions while on the road, such as taking pictures or texting.
- Taking a cab or use ride sharing rather than walking or driving if you plan on drinking.
For a free legal consultation, call 803-222-2222
Halloween Safety Tips For Children
Parents need to take extra precautions over Halloween to ensure their children’s safety. Even if your town offers trick or treating during daylight hours, the number of children on the roads makes Halloween pedestrian accidents more likely to occur.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) advises parents to chaperone children under the age of 12, to provide flashlights and reflective tape to increase visibility, and to make sure older adolescents go out in groups. You should also make sure young people are reminded of basic traffic safety rules. Drivers can do their part to ensure the safety of children in their neighborhood by following these tips:
- Drive at least five miles per hour below the speed limit.
- Be extra cautious when entering or exiting driveways and parking areas.
- Use headlights even during daylight hours, and scan sidewalks and yards for children who may be about to bolt into the road.
Contact An Accident Attorney
At Anastopoulo Law Firm we want you and your family to have a safe and fun Halloween. In the event a Halloween pedestrian accident does occur,
contact our South Carolina personal injury attorney immediately. We understand the serious impacts and heartaches pedestrian car accidents can cause and we can advise you on how to get the compensation you need to recover.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
