Special to GUIDON
Photo by Matt Decker.
Halloween is little more than two weeks away, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released these tips for a safer Halloween.
Drivers
— Avoid using handheld electronic devices.
— Remember that as soon as you step out of your car, you become a pedestrian.
— If you see a drunk driver or impaired pedestrian on the road, contact local law enforcement.
— Be especially alert for all road users, including pedestrians, at night.
— Slow down in areas where pedestrians are likely to be or where sight distances are limited. Keep your windshield clean.
Pedestrians
— Walk on a sidewalk if one is available. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic, as far to the side as safely possible. Drivers do not expect to see pedestrians in the roadway or to come out from between parked cars or behind shrubbery.
— Cross roads with a traffic signal if there is one, and even if you have the right of way, make sure traffic has stopped or passed before you step into the street.
— Make yourself as visible to motorists as possible, especially at night and in low light by carrying a flashlight, wearing a small flashing strobe light and wearing reflective clothing.
— Before the Halloween festivities begin, plan a way to get home safely at the end of the night. Alcohol affects judgment, balance and reaction time. Create a “buddy system” to get each other home safely. Call a friend or family member to pick you up.
(Editor’s note: Information in this article was taken from nhtsa.gov.)
