A Message from Safe Communities of Wright County:
Halloween is an exciting time for kids and for adults as well. We need to all do our part to make Halloween events are fun and safe.
Drivers can do their part to help protect trick-or-treaters by following these driving safety tips on Halloween or when your communities host Halloween activities.
1. Watch for children darting into the street. Kids can cross the street anywhere and most young pedestrian deaths happen at spots other than intersections.
2. Drive slowly and don’t pass parked vehicles in the street. The driver might be dropping off or picking up children.
3. Yield to young pedestrians. Children might not stop – either because they don’t see your vehicle approaching or don’t know how to safely cross the street.
4. Park your mobile phone. Avoid distractions by waiting until your vehicle is stopped to call, text or surf.
5. Communicate with other drivers. Always use your turn signals. If you do pull over to drop off or pick up your kids, turn on your four-way flashers.
Parents can do their part to help protect trick-or-treaters by teaching these safety tips.
1. Teach them how to safely cross streets. They should look both ways and cross only at corners and crosswalks.
2. Brighten them up. Give the kids flashlights and glow sticks and/or use reflective tape on their costumes so drivers can more readily see them.
3. Consider indoor community Halloween programs for younger children.
4. Walk with them so you can focus on keeping them safe.
5. Inspect candy to make sure your kids are not getting something they shouldn’t.
Please be especially careful between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. as this is historically when the most severe young pedestrian collisions happen. Thanks everyone for doing your part.