Iowa DOT News Release

AMES, Iowa – Oct. 25, 2012 – Little ghouls and goblins will be roaming the streets for trick-or-treat night over this Halloween season. Increased pedestrian traffic at twilight and throughout the evening means drivers need to be more mindful than ever to scan streets and intersections for pedestrians.  

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study that examined motor vehicle-related deaths over a 20-year period, the number of childhood pedestrian deaths increased fourfold among elementary and middle school-aged children on Halloween evenings when compared with all other evenings.  

Excitement may overtake judgment for some trick-or-treaters. Young children may not understand they lack the physical ability to cross a street quickly; and their small size limits their visibility to drivers. Children are likely to choose the shortest, rather than the safest route, to cross streets, often darting out between parked cars. In addition, young children do not evaluate potential traffic threats effectively, cannot anticipate driver behavior and process sensory information slower than adults. 

Iowa Department of Transportation statistics for 2011 show seven pedestrians were injured, two severely, and one person was killed in Iowa from Oct. 28-31. Since 2007, four pedestrians have been killed during this time period. During the three days prior to and including Oct. 31, seven pedestrians sustained major injuries and 22 received minor injuries in vehicle/pedestrian crashes that occurred in the years 2007 through 2011.  

"On trick-or-treat evening, we're placing our children in some of the most dangerous traffic situations," said Milly Ortiz, bicycle/pedestrian coordinator in the Iowa DOT's Office of Systems Planning. "Our children are outside after dark, they walk on and cross unfamiliar streets, and they often wear dark colors which are difficult for motorists to see. Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility of drivers, parents and children." 

Safety tips for drivers

• Slow down in residential neighborhoods and school zones.  
• Be on the alert for children at intersections, in the street, on curbs, and on raised medians.
• Slowly and carefully exit driveways and alleyways.
• Concentrate on the driving task and avoid distractions. 

The Safe Kids Coalition encourages parents to use Halloween as an opportunity to remind children of the rules for navigating the streets and sidewalks; and to take precautions to ensure that their costumed kids will be seen by drivers. 

Safety tips for parents and children

• Accompany young children. Children under age 12 should always be accompanied by an adult or older, responsible child.  
• See and be seen. Kids should carry glow sticks or flashlights to see better in the dark, as well as be seen by drivers. Costumes and bags should be decorated with retro-reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, made of light colors.
•  Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks (where they exist). Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk - don’t run - across the street.
• Walk on sidewalks or pathways. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Be a safe pedestrian around vehicles. Watch for vehicles that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross in between parked cars. When exiting a vehicle, get out of the vehicle on the curb side - not on the traffic side.
• Get painted! Face paint and makeup are a better choice for children because they do not hinder vision the way that masks can. Avoid wearing hats that may slide down and cover the eyes.
• Prevent tripping and falls. Avoid wearing long, baggy or loose costumes or oversized shoes.  

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Contact: Milly Ortiz, 515-233-7733 or milly.ortiz@dot.iowa.gov