A variety of different factors influence the likelihood of a major pedestrian collision. Visibility factors including the time of day, the clothing of the pedestrian and where they cross the road are important considerations.
Statistically, late night is a particularly dangerous time for pedestrians to be out on the street. Crossing at unmarked locations can be more dangerous than crossing at illuminated, marked crosswalks. Going out when the risk is higher than average is also a safety concern. The single deadliest day for pedestrians remains consistent from year to year.
Halloween is a dangerous day for pedestrians
There are a few days that see a larger number of pedestrians in the street than Halloween. Millions of children flood into their communities dressed in costumes each year to trick-or-treat. Particularly when they do not have parents present, they might dart out into traffic with tragic results.
The combination of high levels of pedestrian activity and dark costumes makes for a very dangerous situation. Researchers have found that regardless of what day of the week Halloween falls on, it is consistently the deadliest day of the year for pedestrians. Visibility issues and poor choices by youthful pedestrians contribute to the rate of fatal crashes. It is also important to recognize how many adults celebrate the holiday with alcohol at parties.
How can parents use this information?
Obviously, parents don’t want to deny their children one of the greatest joys of childhood just because they worry about the risk of a crash. That being said, parents may want to make a point of monitoring their children while trick-or-treating. They don’t necessarily need to micromanage so much as they need to be present to remind their child to cross at appropriate locations and check their surroundings first. Prioritizing costumes that are visible or encouraging a child to carry a flashlight or glow sticks could help draw the attention of nearby motorists.
If a pedestrian crash does occur, parents may need to pursue compensation on behalf of their child. Pedestrian collisions can lead to major insurance claims or possibly lawsuits. Understanding how to avoid and respond to pedestrian crashes can be beneficial for everyone who goes out on Halloween.
