Road Safety Tips for a Safe Halloween

Halloween in Atlanta is more than just a one-night event. For many, it is a season unto its own. Haunted houses, corn mazes, and trick-or-treating are favorite October events. At Yates Law Group, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys want to be sure that your family has a happy, safe Halloween. We have compiled some road safety tips for a safe Halloween in any Metro Atlanta neighborhood.

Halloween Road Safety Tips

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more drunk drivers on the road on Halloween, which is especially dangerous with increased foot traffic from trick-or-treaters and pedestrians. In 2011, 38 percent of all roadway fatalities on Halloween involved a drunk driver.

Here are some tips to help you keep your family safe:

Costumes:

Decorate or embellish costumes or candy containers with reflective tape, bright colors, lights, or glow sticks.
Use paint to decorate faces, rather than masks, which can obstruct vision and create blind spots.
Make sure costumes fit well and do not drag the ground to prevent hindering movement or causing falls.

Trick-or-Treating:

When crossing the road, always use crosswalks, look both ways, and obey traffic signals.
Do not use mobile devices while crossing the road or walking on or near the roadway.
Teach children the importance of making eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of their vehicles.
Be aware of cars that are reversing or turning. Never let children dart out between parked vehicles or into streets that appear to be clear.
Never let children trick-or-treat alone. Anyone under 12 (use your judgment as a parent here) should be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Find out when neighbors in your area are planning to go trick-or-treating, and plan to make it a group event. When walking near the roadway, there may be safety in numbers, as larger groups are easier to see.

In the Car:

When driving to or from neighborhoods or events on Halloween, take extra caution to slow down and obey speed limits.
Exercise caution when entering or exiting driveways or turning on dimly lit roadways.
Keep distractions in your vehicle to a minimum so you can be aware and alert.
If your teenage child is driving or riding with friends, instruct him or her to be aware, obey the law, avoid distractions (cellphones), and abstain from alcohol and drugs.
Always use your headlights. If you notice that one of your headlights is out, get it replaced or use a different vehicle on Halloween night.

What to Do after an Accident

Unfortunately, even the most conscientious driver or pedestrian can be injured in an auto accident. If you or someone you love has been injured by an auto accident caused by the negligence of someone else, contact our Atlanta personal injury attorneys to discuss your case.