| TRENTON
– State officials today offered several
tips to the public aimed at keeping zombies
and vampires, many of whom are set to roam
the streets this weekend, safe and sound.
Of course, these creatures, along with many
others, will be the thousands of children
who will be trick-or-treating this weekend,
prompting Division of Highway Traffic Safety
Acting Director Gary Poedubicky to encourage
motorists and parents to take the necessary
steps to have a safe Halloween. “We’re
asking motorists to be mindful of the youngsters
on local streets as they go trick or treating,”
Poedubicky said. “We can do this by
slowing down, avoiding distractions, never
talking or texting on a cell phone, buckling
up every time and never drinking and driving.”
Poedubicky
said that in 2010, 141 pedestrians were
killed and 4,878 were injured as a result
of motor vehicle crashes. So far this year,
100 pedestrians have been killed, four of
which were under the age of 16.
A recent survey sponsored by Safe Kids found
that parents’ biggest fear for their
children on Halloween was pedestrian injury
(31 percent), which polled higher than poisoning
(24 percent) and abduction (15 percent).
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) statistics support those concerns.
NHTSA has reported that, on average, twice
as many children are killed in pedestrian/vehicle
accidents on Halloween between 4pm and 10pm
as compared to the same hours on other days
throughout the year.
The Division offers the following safety
tips, to ensure a safe Halloween.
Tips
for Parents to Share with Children:
- Cross
at intersections only.
-
Never cross between parked cars.
-
Before crossing look left, right and left
again, and listen for traffic.
-
Wear light colored or reflective clothing
at night.
-
If there is no sidewalk available, walk
as far off the roadway as possible on
the side of the road, facing oncoming
traffic.
-
Obey all traffic signs and signals.
- Children
should carry a flashlight during the evening
hours.
For
Motorists:
- Stop
for pedestrians in crosswalks. Failure
to do so carries a $200 fine, plus court
fees and a two-point penalty.
- Watch
for pedestrians when turning on red.
- Obey
posted speed limits.
- Do
not block or park in crosswalks.
- Keep
your windshield clean (inside and out)
for maximum visibility.
- Be
alert for pedestrians at all times.
- Turn
on your headlights prior to dusk to increase
your visibility for pedestrians and other
vehicles.
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