Trick-or-treaters and Motorists Need to Beware

As little ghosts and goblins dash from house to house, driving will be tricky on All Hallows Eve. Add darkened streets due to the end of daylight savings time and the drive can be frightening.

Statistics indicate that pedestrian fatalities quadruple when Daylight Savings Time ends – and the number of pedestrian deaths among children is four times higher on Halloween than any other night of the year due to increased pedestrian traffic, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Statewide, pedestrian deaths account for more than 20 percent of all traffic-related fatalities, according to the Surface Transportation Policy Project. Additionally, the STPP found that Latinos and African–Americans are disproportionately affected by pedestrian deaths. Latinos make up about 30 percent of the state’s population, but represent 38 percent of pedestrian fatalities. African-Americans at 7 percent of the population, make up 12 percent of pedestrian fatalities.

“Safety is a two-way street,” said Candysse Miller, executive director of the Insurance Information Network of California. “Drivers and pedestrians must both do their part to make Halloween safe.”:

Parents can help keep their children from becoming one of the 90,000 pedestrians injured every year with some simple safety tips:

Trick-or-treaters:

• An adult should accompany kids during all trick-or-treat activities.
• Add reflective tape to costumes and bags, and carry a flashlight and extra batteries.
• Avoid costume masks. Makeup allows for better vision.
• Look both ways before crossing the street and listen for cars.
• If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the street facing cars.
• Carry emergency identification and know that 911 can be dialed from any phone.

Drivers:

• Make sure headlights are functioning prior to driving at night.
• Always obey traffic laws and yield to pedestrians.
• Enter and exit driveways and crosswalks with caution.
• Be alert for kids entering the street from between parked cars.
• Never drink and drive.

IINC is a non-profit, non-lobbying insurance trade association dedicated to helping consumers understand insurance and safety issues.