Children more at risk on Halloween night.
Road safety experts are reminding motorists to be extra careful as they drive across Milton Keynes tonight, and keep a special eye out for Halloween trick-or-treaters.
Research from the USA, where trick-or-treating has been very popular for decades, shows that children are three times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween night than on any other day of the year.
Darker afternoons and evenings mean it’s more difficult for drivers to spot youngsters out on the streets, as well as other hazards, says road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist. And they have released a safety list for drivers using MK's roads tonight.
The clocks have gone back which means darkness will fall earlier, plus children are likely to be wearing black or dark costumes, all of which makes it harder for drivers to see Halloween-loving pedestrians.
“We’re urging drivers to be on the look-out for children in dark costumes, some without adult supervision,” said GEM head of road safety James Luckhurst. “Their interest in collecting chocolate and sweets is likely to take priority over their road safety considerations.”
“As drivers, most of the information we need for safety comes from what we see. Anticipating the presence of trick-or-treaters will mean we’re doing our bit to reduce risk for everyone around us.”
Advice for a safer Halloween on the road:
- Expect children to step into the street unexpectedly. Slow down and be prepared to stop
- Darker afternoons mean it’s likely to be harder for drivers to spot youngsters out on the streets
- Stay focused on the road 100 per cent of the time. Avoid all distractions, however short they might seem
- Remove steam, condensation, and dirt from lights, windows and mirrors
- Be ready for the effects of glare from low winter sun, or reflecting off the road surface, which can reduce visibility
- Switch on your lights. Even if your view of the road ahead is good, you may be less visible to others, especially if you drive a dark-coloured vehicle
