Halloween is enjoyable for many families, but it is also a day when there are more car accidents involving children. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children have double the chance of being hit by a car and killed during Halloween compared to other days of the year. Many children on Halloween have obscured vision because of masks, and most of them are concentrating on the next house to visit for trick-or-treating; they are not focused on safety.
Parents want their children to have fun and be safe during Halloween. The best way for parent drivers to keep their children safe on Halloween is to not drive. Numerous children are walking around in residential neighborhoods and roads during Halloween having a good time, and they are not thinking about drivers. If you have no place that you must drive to, stay off the road.
If you must drive, drive slowly, and be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters. Children could be walking out from between cars, running across the street without looking, or trying to get to the other side of the street before you get there. Driving slowly allows you time to react to an emergency situation.
Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents, especially on Halloween. Stay off your cellphone. Texting or making calls will distract you from spotting a child who does not see you or expects you to stop.
Watch pulling out of your driveway, and be especially careful around crosswalks and intersections. Use extra caution when passing stopped vehicles; there could be children entering or exiting the car.
If you are attending a Halloween party, do not drink alcohol if you have to drive. If you spot a driver who is behaving recklessly, call the police immediately and describe their car, including the license plate if possible.
If you are driving your children, pick them up and drop them off along the curb, and have them enter and exit the car on the passenger side. Also, refrain from checking your children’s treat bags while you are driving.
What Can Parents Do to Help Their Children Remain Safe?
The best way to keep your children safe is to be with them, especially if they are under the age of 12 years old. If they are going alone, talk to them. Tell them to walk on a sidewalk and to use crosswalks or intersections if available. Try to have them walk with a group, and have your children wear reflectors or carry a flashlight for night hours.
Mount Holly Car Accident Lawyer at the Law Office of David S. Rochman Represents Those Injured in Halloween Car Accidents
It is important to be a safe driver, especially on Halloween. If you become injured in a Halloween car accident due to no fault of your own, speak with our experienced Mount Holly car accident lawyer at the Law Office of David S. Rochman. Call us at 856-751-2345 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout Burlington County and the surrounding areas.