Halloween Safety for Motorists

Many will celebrate Halloween this week.  As the dark streets are flooded with young children, please keep in mind the following safety tips in your neighborhood:

• Slow down in residential neighborhoods and obey all traffic signs and signals. Drive at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit to give yourself extra time to react to children who may dart into the street.
• Don't utilize your high beams as it may help you see further, it prevents traffic coming in the opposite direction from seeing young children.
• Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, curbs, sidewalks and streets with no sidewalks. In dark costumes, they'll be harder to see trick or treating at night.
• Watch for children crossing the street who cross mid-block or between parked cars and may not pay attention to traffic.
• Carefully enter and exit driveways.
• Don't park in the street if you don't have to. You are better parking in a driveway, alley or other place off the road to give children and other motorists plenty of room.
• BE CAREFUL BACKING UP! Have someone stand behind the vehicle to make sure that no children are walking by.
• Be Alert, Be Aware, and Be Safe!

Each year in the United States there are several stories of children who are hit by cars during this Halloween tradition. Don't be one of the statistics. Take extra precautions and ensure everyone's child gets home safely.