This year Halloween is on a Saturday so communities and neighborhoods across BC will be very busy with little and big ghouls and goblins. According to ICBC, based on a five year average (2005-2009) there are 290 car accident crashes and 110 injuries in the lower mainland between 3 pm and midnight on Halloween days. We want to encourage everyone to stay alert and stay safe so that we can reduce or eliminate pedestrian and car accident strikes.
Tips for Pedestrian Safety
- Illuminate yourself: if wearing dark clothing try to light up yourself, bag or umbrella. There are various ways to achieve this – by wearing reflective vests, or tape, put a flashlight or blinking light on your case or backpack, wear glow bracelets or carry a light-up umbrella if it is raining.
- Stop, look and listen: take the time to stop at intersections or crosswalks. Ensure you have made eye contact with the driver before stepping off the curb.
- Follow the rules you learned in grade one: Stay on the sidewalks, cross at corners and don’t jaywalk.
Drivers Beware on Halloween
We encourage everyone especially in residential neighborhoods to park the car between 6 pm and 10 pm on Halloween night. The less traffic on the road the better. You can bet that the candy monsters will not be paying attention to drivers as much as the next candy score. If you do need to be out keep in mind the following:
- Travel well below speed limits.
- Ensure headlights are on, even if it is still daylight.
- Don’t reverse in residential neighborhoods.
- When exiting alleyways do so very slowly, as kids will be darting across
- Look for children jaywalking and crossing diagonally.
- If raining ensures your wipers are working and side mirrors are wiped dry.
- Do not pass cars stopped on the roadway, they may be letting children out.
- Don’t follow your child in the car. Park it and get out and walk through the neighborhood while they trick or treat.
- And it goes without saying, don’t drive under the influence or distracted.
We want to see the ghosts who are still alive this Halloween season, so everyone stays safe, be alert and don’t be a ghostbuster.
If you have been injured in a car accident as a pedestrian, give Warnett Hallen LLP a call, because with us you will “Settle for More”.
Table courtesy of Transport Canada
Resources:
- ICBC Tips for Halloween Safety
