Halloween is a festive time filled with costumes, candy, and spooky fun; however, it can also be a potentially hazardous night, especially for pedestrians. Whether you are taking your children trick or treating, attending a Halloween party, or simply walking to enjoy the decorations, it is essential to prioritize your safety. As Halloween approaches this month we here at LifeLaw Personal Injury want to prioritize your safety, and we want to ensure that our community stays safe. In this article we will be discussing the best ways to help you stay safe as a pedestrian this Halloween.
Choose Your Costume Wisely
Halloween costumes are a major part of the fun, but it is important to remember that some costumes can pose safety risks for pedestrians. Halloween is a holiday that takes place almost entirely at night, so try to opt for a costume that may be more brightly colored and more easily visible in these low light conditions. If your costume includes a mask make sure that it does not obstruct your vision. An extra safety measure you could take could be to add reflective tape, or some glow in the dark accessories to help enhance your visibility to drivers.
Walk In Well Lit Areas
Whether you are out trick or treating, or just walking around on Halloween night, try your best to stick to well-lit areas whenever possible. Using sidewalks and crosswalks can help keep you in more clearly visible areas. You should try your best to stay vigilant while crossing a street in the dark. If you are in an area that has limited street lighting, carrying a flashlight can help keep you safe. Remember that being seen by a driver is key for your safety.
Supervise Your Children Closely
If you are taking your children trick or treating, it is important that you supervise them closely. Younger children should always be accompanied by an adult. For your older children, make sure that they are well informed on pedestrian safety. Make sure that they know to only cross the street at crosswalks, and to look both ways before crossing the street. As Halloween is a holiday that takes place at night, it is a good idea to make sure that your children have a piece of reflective clothing, glow in the dark items, or a flashlight.
Be Cautious of Distracted Drivers
Halloween unfortunately is a very popular night for both distracted driving and impaired driving. Many drivers may be looking down at their phones at a text, directions, or are looking outside to admire the decorations, and unfortunately many are driving under the influence from a party that they have attended. As a pedestrian, it is essential that you are extra cautious as Halloween is one of the deadliest holidays of the year for drivers, with an average of 356 fatal accidents each year. As a pedestrian, the best thing you can do is to assume that a driver does not see you. To help you avoid distracted drivers, try and make eye contact with a driver before you cross in front of their vehicles.
Avoid Overconsumption
While it may be tempting to indulge yourself in all sorts of treats this Halloween, it is crucial that you do so responsibly, especially if you are planning on traveling. Overconsumption of alcohol or other sweet treats can seriously impair your judgment and your reaction times. This can make you much more vulnerable to accidents. If you are planning on attending a party this upcoming Halloween make sure that you arrange for someone to be the designated driver, or to use a ride share service to get you home safely.
Communicate with Drivers
When you are crossing a street or approaching an intersection, make sure that you use hand signals or make your intentions clear to other drivers. Making eye contact and using gestures can help ensure that the driver sees you and understands your intentions to cross. For your safety do not assume that a driver will always yield the right of way to you, especially on a busy Halloween night.
Halloween is a time for fun and celebration, but it is also a night when your safety as a pedestrian is paramount. Here at LifeLaw Personal Injury, we want to ensure that everyone in our community has a safe and fun Halloween. By following these tips, you can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries while still having a fantastic time! However, if you or someone you know does get injured call the best personal injury lawyers in Salt Lake City at LifeLaw Personal Injury. Our team of legal experts will fight for you and seek the best possible outcome for your case. Contact us today for a free consultation, and to discuss your options further.