Welcome back to the third edition of the “Traffic Safety Times”!  This electronic newsletter is being provided to the northern Virginia and Shenandoah Valley regions by the Center for the Advancement of Public Health at George Mason University, funded by a grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.  We hope that by providing you with this e-newsletter we can help law enforcement agencies and other organizations to offer further traffic safety information to our citizens.

 

The first edition of this e-newsletter focused on school bus safety, and the second edition on flooding.  This third edition will focus on Halloween Safety, and it will provide you with some useful tips to keep you and your family safe during this fun and exciting holiday.  Future editions will concentrate on other topics, offer resources, suggest strategies and address issues suggested by you.  Please feel free to contact us to suggest future topics and as we welcome any comments or concerns you may have.  We can be reached by phone at (703) 993-3697 or via e-mail at caph@gmu.edu.

 

 

                                                                   

    Halloween Safety            

 

This October 31st, your neighborhood will be crawling with children trick-or-treating, and it is everyone’s job to make sure that they stay safe.  Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reports that Halloween is now one of the deadliest times of year concerning alcohol-related crashes.  Halloween falls on a Friday this year, which almost guarantees that more people will be drinking and driving.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study from 1975 to 1996, and found that the number of deaths among young pedestrians (ages 5-14) is four times higher on Halloween evening than any other evening of the year.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also conducted a study in 1999 and reported that:

 

  • Fatal collisions that occur between motor vehicles and young pedestrians (under 15 years of age) happen most often between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., which is the prime time for trick-or-treating.
  • The majority of deaths among young pedestrians (84%) occurred at non-intersection locations, which indicates that children are very likely to dart and dash from mid-block into the street.
  • In 1999, 4,906 pedestrian/motor vehicle fatalities were reported, of which 517 were young pedestrians.  Of those, 62% were male.

 

Sources: MADD, & Progressive Insurance

 

 

 

 

 

Traffic Safety Tips

 

 

Motorists

 

 

  • Watch for children running out from between parked cars.
  • Look for children walking on the roadways, medians, and curbs.
  • Always enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
  • Watch for children in dark clothing, especially at twilight and later in the evening.
  • Be aware of the trick-or-treating times for your neighborhood.
  • Avoid driving during these times if possible.
  • Drive slowly and cautiously.
  • Don’t be distracted by using cell phones, eating, changing radio stations, etc.
  • Don’t Drink and Drive: Always have designated drivers if you are going to a party.Be patient and give children the time they need to cross the street.  Their costumes may impair them from hearing or seeing you.
  • Please remember that children will be excited and could forget to “stop, look, and listen” before crossing the street.

 

 

 

 

Parents

 

 

  • Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for kids under age 12.
  • Plan and discuss the trick-or-treat routes that the children intend to follow.
  • Make sure your children understand to travel only in familiar areas and along a well-known route.
  • Teach your children to stop at houses or apartment buildings that are well lit and to never enter a stranger’s home.
  • Set a return time for them to come home.Keep candles, pumpkins with candles, matches, and lighters out of their reach.
  • Avoid costumes that are made of flimsy material and those with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.  They are more likely to come in contact with exposed flames.
  • Try to use costumes that are light and bright enough so that the children are more visible at night.
  • Look for “flame-resistant” labels on costumes, masks, wigs, and beards.
  • Tell children to bring their treats home before they eat them.
  • Make sure costumes are short enough so they don’t cause the children to trip or fall.
  • Use masks that do not impair the child’s hearing or field of vision.
  • Give children an early meal before they go out.

 

 

    Trick-Or-Treaters     

                                                           

 

  • Travel only in areas that are familiar and along a pre-established route.
  • Decorate costumes, bags, and sacks with tape or stickers that are reflective.
  • Do not enter a home or apartment building unless accompanied by an adult.
  • Set a specific time to return home.
  • Carry a flashlight and make sure it has new batteries.
  • Walk on a sidewalk and do not run.  If a sidewalk is not available, walk on the left side of the road that faces traffic.
  • Follow all traffic signals and rules of the road.
  • Do not cut across yards or driveways.
  • Make sure your costume does not drag on the ground.
  • Wear a whistle in case of an emergency.
  • Be sure that your shoes are well fitting and sturdy.
  • Try not to wear a mask while walking from house to house.
  • If you are going to carry a sword or knife, make sure it is flexible.
  • Only go to houses that have their lights on.
  • Stay away from and do not pet animals that you do not know.
  • Accept treats at the front door only.  Never enter a stranger’s home.
  • Never eat treats before getting home, and allow your parents to inspect all items collected first.

 

 

Homeowners

 


  • Make sure your yard is clear of any tripping hazards such as ladders, hoses, dog leashes, and flowerpots.
  • Pets get frightened on Halloween, so keep them in the house away from trick-or-treaters.
  • Use ample lighting so the path is clearly lit. 
  • Battery powered jack o’lantern candles are safer and preferable to a real flame.
  • If you use candles, make sure to place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking.
  • Make sure that paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle.
  • Don’t give out homemade treats, unless you know the kids and they know you.
  • Give individually wrapped candy or treats.
  • Consider non-food treats like plastic rings, stickers, pencils, erasers, etc.

 

Sources: Edgar Snyder & Associates, National Safety Council, NHTSA, & United States Search and Rescue Task Force

 

 


Interesting Websites

 

 

 

What's Ahead In Traffic Safety During November?

 

 

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

 29

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Child Safety Seat Check: From November 1 to November 22

“Booze It & Lose It”: From November 20 to November 30

 

George Mason University

Center for the Advancement of Public Health

4400 Universtiy of Dr., MS 1F5

North PE Module G, Room 23

Fairfax, VA 22030-4444

Phone: 703.993.3697

Fax: 703.993.3763

E-mail: caph@gmu.edu

Website: www.caph.gmu.edu