With road safety always on our minds, we are reminded the major dangers at Hallowe’en are not from ghosts and goblins…but rather pedestrian/vehicle collisions. To date this year 36 pedestrians have been killed on Irish roads.
Hallowe’en means many things to many people. For some, it is an opportunity to play practical jokes; for others, it is fun; and to still others, it is a time to gorge on mounds of sweets solicited from neighbours. However, to road safety professionals, Hallowe’en is often a tense time of year, a time when pranks cross the line into life-endangering activities and when innocent children having fun and seeking treats can fall victim to road collisions.
Their costumes may be out of this world, but are often made with a dark-coloured material and hard to see by motorists. Trick-or-treaters face significantly greater than usual risks from traffic as they make their rounds on foot. The road safety officer in Mayo County Council urges adults to use common sense to protect children from injuries and falls, the most common risks they face on Hallowe’en.
“The excitement of trick-or-treating can make everyone less cautious,” said Noel Gibbons, road safety officer with Mayo County Council. “To help keep children safe, parents should remind their kids about the rules of the road and ensure they will be seen by drivers this Hallowe’en.”
Young children are at particular risk of pedestrian injury because they face traffic risks that exceed their developmental abilities, for example, the ability to accurately judge the speed and distance of oncoming traffic. Mr Gibbons recommends that an adult or older sibling accompany children under the age of 12 while trick-or-treating. In addition, the road safety officer offers the following recommendations. Visibility: the end of daylight saving time means that children are more likely to be trick-or-treating in the dark when it is harder for drivers to see them. Children should bring flashlights or glow sticks with them, carry reflective bags, or attach retro-reflective tape, fabric, or decorative patches to costumes. Traffic: review basic pedestrian safety rules, including where and how to cross the road. Teach kids never to dart out into the street or road - one of the most common causes of pedestrian deaths among children. Drivers should be particularly alert on Hallowe’en and watch for children on the street, in alleys and crossing the road.
Although Hallowe’en is meant to be spooky and fun, it's also important to keep it safe for your children, your friends and yourself.
