AAA wants you to Be Smart, Be Seen and have a Safe Halloween
Knoxville, TN – Halloween is an exciting time of year for many young people, but it also holds its share of hidden dangers. AAA reminds parents and caregivers to take extra precautions if their children will be trick-or-treating on neighborhood streets.
In a recent AAA Consumer Pulse survey, 58 percent of parents report they are no more concerned about their children’s safety simply because Halloween falls on a Saturday.
[1]However, the scary truth is that statistics show that fatal injuries from motor vehicle crashes rise nearly 50 percent when Halloween falls on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
“A safe Halloween means seeing and being seen,” said Amy Stracke, Managing Director, Traffic Safety Advocacy for AAA – The Auto Club Group and Executive Director of the ACG Traffic Safety Foundation. “Excited children who may break the safety rules they usually follow, need to be reminded that safety is a responsibility we all share.”
To help make this a safer Halloween, AAA offers a few easy tips:
Motorists
- Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
- Slow down and be especially alert in residential areas. Children may unexpectedly dart out in the street or from between parked cars.
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. In dark costumes, they will be harder to see at night
- Turn on your headlights to make yourself more visible – even in the daylight
- Drive sober. Over 40 percent of fatal crashes on Halloween night involve a drunk driver. Always designate a sober driver if you plan to drink. Visit www.PreventDUI.AAA.com [2] to learn more.
Parents
- Parents are encouraged to walk children door to door while trick-or-treating, showing children safe places to cross the street.
- Ensure an adult or older, responsible youth is available to supervise children under age 12
- Buckle up. If driving trick-or-treaters between neighborhoods, always use appropriate car seats and have children exit and enter on the passenger side of the vehicle.
- Bring a flashlight to help trick-or-treaters see and be seen.
- Pick a costume that is safe for your child to move in and see out of. Buy costumes and wigs labeled “flame resistant.”
Trick-or-Treaters
- Cross the street and corners using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look both ways between crossing and keep an eye on the road while you are crossing
- Wear light colored clothing or costumes with reflective material or tape for the best visibility. Consider using nontoxic face paint instead of masks to avoid obstructing vision.
- Stay in familiar neighborhoods.Only visit homes that have the porch light on and never go into a stranger’s house.
- Always have an adult check your treats before you eat. Discard anything that looks like it has been unwrapped or tampered with.
For additional tips to keep Halloween safe, visit http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/child-safety/halloween-safety [3]
[320center]
About Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation
Established by AAA – The Auto Club Group in 2010, Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation, Inc. (ACGTSF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and public charity dedicated to producing a significant and continuous reduction in traffic crashes, injuries and deaths in the communities targeted by its efforts. ACGTSF provides programs, education and outreach to increase public awareness about the importance of traffic safety and improve driving behavior.
ACGTSF is funded by voluntary, tax-deductible contributions from organizations and individuals who support ACGTSF’s purpose. Visit www.AAA.com/foundation [4] for more information.
About The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, travel, insurance and financial services offerings to over 9 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana.
ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 55 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety.