There’s nothing scarier on Halloween than a child getting seriously injured, or worse. And all because somebody got careless.
Don’t let Halloween become a nightmare, the Insurance Corporation of B.C. urges, as it lists useful and potentially life-saving tips tailor-made for today and tonight.
According to ICBC, 280 people were injured in 950 traffic crashes in B.C. last Halloween.
Of those, some 200 people were injured in 600 crashes in the Lower Mainland.
You don’t need a big giant brain to know that Surrey’s streets will be teeming with trick-or-treaters tonight, especially between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., so drive below the speed limit, scan the streets as you drive, don’t roll through stop signs or intersections and don’t pass a slow or stopped automobile.
Have patience — the car in front of you might be waiting for children to cross the street.
READ ALSO: Kids are 10 times more likely be killed in car crashes on Halloween: study
According to ICBC, a car traveling at 30 kilometres per hour requires roughly 18 metres, about the length of four cars, to come to a complete stop.
And for you parents and other adults who will be accompanying trick-or-treating youngsters, make sure the children’s costumes are bright so motorists can spot them.
Adding reflective tape to their costume can be a quick fix. Also have them carry a flashlight or wear a headlamp.
OUR VIEW: Keep each other safe on roads
READ ALSO: Surrey creating road safety plan after ‘concerning’ stats from ICBC
Set up a safe route for the children, have them travel in groups, and of course follow the rules of the road.
That means using sidewalks, crossing only at crosswalks, facing traffic while walking, and making sure they work their way up one side of the street rather than crossing back and forth.
So if you’re going to be anything on Halloween, be a wise owl.
Don’t be a dodo — the safety of your child, or someone else’s, depends on the choices you make tonight.
— Now-Leader
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