SALT LAKE CITY — Halloween is a beloved holiday across by country by children and adults – but it’s also a holiday to be cautious of.
Trick-or-treaters and partygoers fill the streets on Oct. 31.Children are four times more likely to be struck by a car on that day than on any other day of the year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As part of AAA’s ongoing commitment to keep the roads safe on the holidays, its Tipsy Tow Program will offer a free tow for drinking drivers from 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 to 6 a.m. Nov. 1.
Members and non-members in northern California, Nevada and Utah can call 800-222-4357 for a free tow of up to 10 miles.
“Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow,’ and a truck will be on its way,” said Cynthia Harris, spokeswoman for AAA Utah. “Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver and his or her vehicle to the driver’s home.”
Halloween safety tips for motorists
- Slow down in residential neighborhoods and obey all traffic signs and signals. Drive at least 5 miles per hour below the posted speed limit to give extra time to react to children who may dart into the street.
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. In dark costumes, they’ll be harder to see at night.
- Look for children crossing the street. They may not be paying attention to traffic and cross the street mid-block or between parked cars.
- Carefully enter and exit driveways and alleys.
- Turn on headlights to be more visible – even in the daylight.
- Look for children left and right into yards and front porches.
Halloween safety tips for parents
- · Ensure an adult or older, responsible youth is available to supervise children under age 12.
- · Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters will follow.
- · Instruct children to travel only in familiar areas and along established routes.
- · Teach children to stop only at well-lit houses and to never to enter a stranger’s home or garage.
- · Establish a time for children to return home.
- · Tell children not to eat any treats until they get home.
- · Review pedestrian and traffic safety rules.
Halloween safety tips for trick-or-treaters
- · Be bright at night – wear retro-reflective tape on costumes and treat buckets to improve visibility to motorists and others.
- · Wear disguises that don’t obstruct vision and avoid facemasks. Instead, use nontoxic face paint. Also, watch the length of billowy costumes to help avoid tripping.
- · Ensure any props are flexible and blunt-tipped to avoid injury from tripping.
- · Carry a flashlight containing fresh batteries, and place it face down in the treat bucket to free up one hand. Never shine it into the eyes of oncoming drivers.
- · Stay on sidewalks and avoid walking in streets if possible.
- · If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
- · Look both ways and listen for traffic before crossing the street.
- · Cross streets only at the corner, and never cross between parked vehicles or mid-block. Trick-or-treat in a group if someone older cannot go with you.
