Halloween DUI and Pedestrian Accidents

Halloween can be a fun time for both children and adults. Little trick-or-treaters go door to door through neighborhoods, while bigger celebrants oftenattend costume parties and other get-togethers. But while spooky tales of ghosts and goblins fill the air, the scariest part of Halloween are the veryreal dangers of pedestrian accidents and DUI accidents.

On Halloween night, the risk for pedestrian accidents increases greatly, simply because of the dramatically increased number of pedestrian. Combine a largenumber of people on the streets with reduced visibility from darkness and costumes, and the potential for an accident is great. If you add an alcoholor drug-impaired driver to the mix, the consequences can be deadly.

Statistics indicate that there are more child pedestrian deaths (aged 5-14) on Halloween than any other night of the year. According to the CDC,there is an average of one child pedestrian death between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on any given night of the year. However, between thesesame hours on Halloween night, there is an average of four fatal childhood pedestrian accidents. Kids are twice as likely to get hit by a car on Halloweenthan on any other night of the year.

More than a quarter of Halloween pedestrian deaths in 2013--26 percent--involved an alcohol-impaired driver.

Of course, fatal DUI accidents are not limited to pedestrian deaths. DUI accidents account for 43 percent of all fatal traffic accidents on Halloween.

For pedestrians, the NHTSA offers these Halloween safety tips:

• Children under 12 should not roam the streets or go trick-or-treating without an adult.
• Pedestrians should always watch for traffic and be aware of vehicles.
• Children should carry flashlights, wear glow bracelets, or have reflective strips to make them more visible.
• Do not run across the street. Instead, always practice everyday pedestrian safety by crossing at street corners and watching for cars.
• Intoxicated pedestrians are a danger as well. If you have been drinking, get a sober ride home.

The NHTSA also offers Halloween safety tips for drivers:

• Be aware that pedestrians could be anywhere. Watch out even in areas where you do not believe there will be pedestrians.
• Watch for children and expect them to dart into the street.
• It is important to remain watchful and vigilant. Do not use your cell phone, text while driving, or otherwise engage in distracted driving that maytake your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off of driving.
• Make sure to closely follow all traffic laws: keep your headlights on, use signals appropriately, stop at stop signs, etc.
• Do not drink and drive. If you have been drinking, used drugs, or taken medication, get a sober ride.

The Law Firm of Oklahoma wishes you and your family a safe and happy Halloween.