Halloween is just around the corner. Statistics show that Halloween is one of the most dangerous times of the year for young pedestrians. Maryland drivers should be ready to take special precautions on the road this year to ensure that everyone can enjoy the holiday safely.
Children traveling in groups with their friends on Halloween may not always practice proper pedestrian safety. That means it is up to drivers to make sure that they slow down, avoid distractions, and prevent tragic pedestrian accidents from occurring.
Here are a few helpful safety tips for motorists this Halloween:
- Slow Down: Halloween is one of the busiest nights of the year for pedestrian foot traffic, so plan your night accordingly. Carefully obey posted speed limit signs, and slow down even more in residential neighborhoods. Leave yourself more time to arrive at your destination, take your time and help make the roads safer for everyone.
- Remain Alert: Keep your eyes peeled for pedestrians on both sides of the street at all times. You never know when a child could run out into the road, so always expect the unexpected. Also, be especially cautious when entering or exiting alleys or driveways. Go slowly and give any pedestrians plenty of time to get out of your way.
- Be Aware of Popular Trick-or-Treating Hours: Most children are out trick-or-treating between the hours of 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Be especially cautious on the roads during these times on Halloween.
- Yield to Pedestrians: Even if you are not approaching a designated crosswalk, stop and allow kids and parents to safely cross the street. Kids could be walking on the shoulder of the road, on the median or on the curb so make pedestrian safety your top priority.
- Avoid Distractions: Distracted driving causes thousands of preventable pedestrian accidents every year. With more young children out and about on Halloween, it is more important than ever to avoid all driver distractions while behind the wheel. Keep your phone in your pocket or purse, and do not eat, groom yourself, adjust the radio or GPS when you should be focusing on the road.
- NEVER Drive Drunk: There will be plenty of Halloween parties to attend, so be sure you plan a safe way home BEFORE you go out. If you will be consuming alcohol at a Halloween event, plan to take public transportation, designate a sober driver, or call a taxi or car service like Uber or Lyft.
At The Yost Legal Group, we want to make sure that everyone has a safe, fun and happy Halloween. By following these safety tips, Maryland drivers can help prevent tragic and avoidable accidents with pedestrians. Please be safe, drive defensively and click here to read additional Halloween safety tips.
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