Published: October 30, 2009 11:53 am      

TxDOT offers Halloween safety tips

Halloween is creeping up on us and will be here before we can say, “Boo!”

Soon, costumed kids, dressed up as courageous cartoon heroes, winsome witches and precocious princesses will be trick-or treating in your neighborhood.

Because kids tend to focus on the excitement of Halloween and forget about safety, it’s up to parents, caregivers and motorists to make sure that every little boy and “ghoul” has a safe and happy holiday and isn’t “haunted” by unnecessary injuries.

The following traffic safety tips will help make every child’s Halloween a safe and happy one:

- Fatal collisions between motor vehicles and young pedestrians (under 15 years of age) happen most frequently between 4-8 p.m. — prime trick or treating time.

- 84 percent of deaths among young pedestrians occurred at non-intersection locations (indicating children are most likely to dart and dash from mid-block into the street.

- Halloween is also one of the year’s most dangerous holidays on the road due to alcohol-related crashes caused by those who drink and drive after parties and festivities. Two-thirds of all highway fatalities at Halloween are alcohol-related. Don’t even think about getting behind the wheel if you’re impaired.

Halloween driving tricks to keep everyone safe:

- Don’t use a cell phone while driving through neighborhoods. A single distraction could lead to a tragedy.

- Stay well below the posted speed limit.

- Pay attention to what’s happening on sidewalks and roadways. Watch for children darting across streets, especially between parked cars.

- Be extra alert when pulling in and out of driveways.

- Do not assume children can see you or are paying attention. You need to take that responsibility.

- Drivers should also check that all lights on their car are working.

- Do not pass other vehicles that have stopped in the roadway...they could be dropping off children.

- If you’re driving a group of children, but staying in the running vehicle at the curb, be sure to put on your hazard lights to alert other motorists.

- If you’re driving to a Halloween party, put that mask on after you park the car.

Parents can help motorist, too:

- Make sure drivers can see the children. Give them flashlights and glow sticks. Dress kids in bright, reflective clothing or use reflective tape on their costumes.

- Use makeup, rather than masks, so children have a clear, unobstructed view of their surroundings.

- Be sure children know how to cross a street — look left, right and left again, as well as over their shoulder, before crossing.

- Instruct children to stay on sidewalks and to cross only at corners or crosswalks.

- Accompany your children as they trick or treat.