Kayla Crandal
As little goblins and ghouls head out to trick-or-treat through West Michigan neighborhoods this weekend, AAA wants families and drivers to take extra care.
This year, Halloween falls on a Saturday. AAA says this could bring a potentially dangerous mix of trick-or-treaters in neighborhoods, motorists driving to parties and teens on e-bikes and e-scooters.
Children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year, Safe Kids Worldwide reports.
"Halloween already demands a driver's full attention, and having it fall on a Saturday night adds another reason to be especially cautious," said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson for AAA – The Auto Club Group. "Expect more people to be out after dark and slow down in neighborhoods. A child in a costume, or someone riding an e-bike or e-scooter, can appear in your path with very little warning."
Typical trick-or-treating hours fall between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. This Halloween in Michigan, the sun will set around 6:30 p.m.
Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers
Here are some tips for drivers:
- Slow down in neighborhoods. Children may unexpectedly step into the street or cross between parked vehicles.
- Expect the unexpected. Look carefully at intersections, medians, curbs, driveways and alleys.
- Back up carefully. Check around your vehicle before backing out of driveways or parking spaces and continue looking for children as you move.
- Eliminate distractions. Put the phone away and keep your attention on the road.
- Use extra caution after dark. Turn headlights on early and actively scan for pedestrians, bicyclists and e-ride users.
- Never drive impaired. Anyone celebrating with alcohol or other impairing substances should arrange a safe ride before the festivities begin.
Halloween Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters
Parents and caregivers can help children stay safer by:
- Making costumes easier to see. Add reflective tape or stickers to costumes and bags and have children carry flashlights or glow sticks.
- Keeping costumes safe for walking. Choose costumes that fit properly and do not obstruct a child's vision.
- Crossing where drivers expect pedestrians. Use sidewalks and crosswalks, and avoid darting into the street or crossing between parked vehicles.
- Looking before crossing. Look left, right and left again before entering the street.
- Avoiding distractions. Put phones away and remove earbuds while walking, particularly when crossing streets.
- Supervising younger children. Children younger than 12 should trick-or-treat with adult supervision.
E-Bikes and E-Scooters Add Another Consideration
E-bikes and e-scooters can introduce another traffic safety concern on Halloween night, particularly when riders are sharing dark, busy streets with trick-or-treaters and motorists.
"A helmet may not be part of the costume, but it should be part of the ride," Woodland said. "If you're heading out on an e-bike or e-scooter, wear a properly fitted helmet and make sure drivers can see you."
AAA recommends e-bike and e-scooter riders:
- Wear a properly fitted helmet.
- Be visible. Use appropriate lights and wear reflective or brightly colored materials.
- Make sure costumes don't interfere with riding. Avoid anything that restricts vision, movement or control of the e-ride.
- Put away distractions. Avoid phones and headphones while riding.
- Slow down around pedestrians. Expect heavy foot traffic in neighborhoods and trick-or-treating areas.
- Ride predictably and follow traffic laws. Never ride impaired.
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