While many Connecticut families are picking out costumes for Halloween, they may not stop to consider the dangers associated with the evening. Halloween is notable for the plethora of car accidents that occur on this day, and to keep children safe, it is good for parents to know the risks.
As they go from door-to-door candy collecting, parents may want to pay special attention to the cars on the road. According to U.S. News, the hours between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. are when most accidents take place. In 2013, drunk driving was responsible for 26 percent of Halloween pedestrian deaths. One organization goes so far as to say that the holiday doubles the risk for a fatal pedestrian accident involving a child.
There are many possible causes for the problem. One is that visibility can be a challenge for drivers, especially if the sun is setting and even after darkness sets in. While vehicles are behind many pedestrian deaths, there are other factors involved, as well. Costumes can play a role, as loose outfits may cause children to trip, and they may be unable to see the street well if they are wearing a mask. Halloween also sees pedestrians using less caution when crossing streets.
To keep their children safe, parents may want to employ safety strategies. A Safe Kids Worldwide infographic says that it is a good idea to trick-or-treat with young children, as unsupervised trick-or-treaters can include 12 percent of children beneath the age of five. Putting reflective tape on costumes can also help improve children’s visibility to drivers and parents should talk to their kids about the importance of walking on the side of the road where they are facing traffic and staying on sidewalks whenever possible.
