Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer warns that Halloween is one of the deadliest days for pedestrians

As children head out in their Halloween costumes to trick-or-treat this Friday, parents should be aware of the dangers they face. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year. An estimated 41 million children will be out trick-or-treating in the United States this week. Young trick-or-treaters are often dressed in dark costumes and masks, they are excited and rushing, and may forget about safety when crossing streets or when walking near traffic.

A study by State Farm released in 2012, found an average of 5.5 pedestrian fatalities each year on Halloween, which is more than double the average on other days. The report found that a quarter of the accidents occurred between 6pm and 7pm and over 60% between the prime trick-or-treating hours of 5pm to 9pm. Of those most at risk, 32% of all child fatalities were those between the ages of 12 and 15 and 25% were children ages 5-8. State Farm also found that young drivers, age 15-25, accounted for nearly one-third of the fatal accidents involving child pedestrians on Halloween.

Drunk Driving is another problem that causes fatalities on Halloween. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that fatal crashes involving drunk drivers rises from the average of 30% on other days to nearly 50% on Halloween. About 20% of pedestrian deaths on Halloween involve a drunk driver.

Personal injury lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys offer the following Halloween Safety Tips for pedestrians and drivers:

Pedestrians
• Children out trick-or-treating under the age of 12 should have adult supervision.
• Children should stick to familiar, well-lit neighborhoods, and trick-or-treat in groups. Plan out a route with your children.
• Decorate costumes with reflective tape and have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to make them more visible to drivers.
• Walk on sidewalks, not on the street.
• Pedestrians should always cross the street and corners using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Look both ways before crossing and keep an eye on the road while you are crossing.
• Wear costumes that don’t obstruct vision.

Drivers
• Always use caution when driving.
• Never drink and drive.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential areas or around trick-or-treaters. Children may unexpectedly dart out in the street or from between parked cars.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
• Eliminate all distractions when driving.
• Turn your headlights on, even during daylight, to make yourself more visible.

The Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys wish you and your family a safe and happy Halloween. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian or car accident, we can help. For more information, visit www.munley.com.