Robert T. Lynch, P.E., Principal Collision Reconstruction Engineer

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, as we all get to dress up to be whoever or whatever we want to be. Some of my best costumes from years past include William Wallace from Braveheart, Data from Goonies, and Elliot with ET in the bike basket (see inset below.) Whether you allow your kids to Trick-or-Treat by themselves, or you walk around the neighborhood with them, here are some tips to keep everyone safe throughout the night.

We all know how kids get excited at the thought of filling their bags with candy, sometimes even running zigzag across the road as they go from door-to-door. While most parents hope to instill safe practices by teaching their children to look both ways before crossing a street, children are prone to forget these safety mantras. Halloween adds more distractions to the mix with trick-or-treaters and spooky decorations all competing for kids’ attention. Younger children especially tend to be unaware of their surroundings and potential dangers, such as vehicular traffic.

All drivers should be vigilant for pedestrians out and about on Halloween and anticipate that an increased number of parked cars or other roadside obstructions may further reduce visibility. Remember to stay attentive for small children and reduce vehicle speed, especially while driving through neighborhoods or areas with a lot of foot traffic.

For adults escorting trick-or-treaters, carrying a flashlight provides an additional visual cue to approaching drivers of pedestrians in the area. Wearing a reflective vest or clothing can further enhance your presence while walking or standing in and alongside the roadway.

Parents can also have their children wear glow necklaces, bracelets, and/or anklets. Any light-producing or reflective objects on a child’s hands or feet will provide additional biomotion feedback to drivers, which is one of the best ways to improve the visibility of a dark-clothed pedestrian at night.

Have fun and be safe out there!

Robert T. Lynch, P.E., Principal Collision Reconstruction Engineer with DJS Associates, Inc., can be reached via email at experts@forensicDJS.com or via phone at 215-659-2010.

Categories: Collision Reconstruction | Robert T. Lynch, P.E.

Tags: Nighttime | Pedestrian | Transportation Safety | Visibility