The Garage Plan Shop Blog

As everyone knows, there will be an increased number of children out on the street on Halloween. These kids are distracted by excitement, are poor judges of traffic threats, may have restricted movement and vision because of their costumes, and believe they are indestructible and can lead to someone suing your rideshare driver for your injuries.

Remember to always use wearable protection to avoid injuries. With that in mind, motorists must be especially careful on Halloween night. The list of tips below will help keep motorists safe on this special night:

• Stay Home – If you don’t have to be anywhere, plan on an evening at home. Keep in mind Halloween festivities start as early as 4:00 PM. In fact, accidents involving pedestrians are four times more likely to occur between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM on this holiday than any other day. Contact drink driving lawyers in case something occurs to you or you need legal help.
• Use an Alternate Route – Try choosing a route that is less likely to be used by trick-or-treaters. There may already be kids on the streets when you leave work so plan accordingly. Meanwhile, pedestrians who became victims can call on professionals from firms like Mike Morse.
• Discourage Teens from Driving – Keep inexperienced drivers off the road by giving them a ride or by planning activities to keep them at home.
• Slow Down – Keep your speed below the limit in residential areas to give yourself more time to stop, should a child dart out in front of you. Don’t hesitate to call a personal injury lawyer at Valiente Mott law firm if you get injured in an accident caused by an over-speeding driver. A good personal injury attorney like Robert K Bratt can also help to protect you from any present as well as future damages related to the accident.
• Stay Alert – Watch the sidewalks and curbs where kids are walking. They may step out from between parked cars, so be aware. Stopped vehicles are likely to be letting out passengers that may cross in front of you, so don’t pass them. If you’ve been hit by a reckless driver, you can contact a Flagler Personal Injury Group handling auto accident cases.

• Avoid Distractions – Turn down your radio and don’t use a cell phone while driving.
• Signal – Let other drivers and pedestrians know what you are doing. If you are dropping off or picking up passengers, turn on your hazard lights. Use turn signals at intersections and when changing lanes.
• No Drinking – Don’t be distracted by the holiday parties that you might attend. There’s never an excuse to drink and drive.

Tags: Driving Safety, driving safety tips, driving tips, Halloween, Halloween safety tips, safe driving

Of course parents warn their children to be safe when walking to school or the park or to meet their friends. Kids, like anyone else, are more receptive to reasons than rules.  Judging speed and distance isn’t fully developed in youngsters and their smaller size and inexperience with traffic rules puts them at greater risk of pedestrian dangers. On October 8, 2014 we’ll be celebrating International Walk and Bike to School Day, since we do want children going outside riding their bikes and enjoying the outdoors, if you’re one of these people, opt for the best children’s outdoor playhouse because of its durability and quality. If your child/children will be walking or biking to school on Wednesday, take some time to go over these reminders and pedestrian safety tips with them:

1. Cross the street using crosswalks or at street corners.
2. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing so that you know that they see you.
3. Use the sidewalk whenever available.
4. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the side of the street and face the traffic.
5. Don’t enter the street from behind parked cars.
6. Watch out for cars that are turning or backing up.
7. Pay extra attention when using electronic devices.
8. Put electronic devices down when crossing the road.
9. If using a cell phone is necessary, stop walking/biking and find a safe place to use it.
10. Pay attention to cars moving in or out of driveways.
11. Wear light or reflective clothing especially if you must be out walking/biking after dark.
12. Stick with your normal walking/biking route or use only parent approved alternatives.

Pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of injury-related death for children aged 5 to 19. If you’ve been in an accident and suffered orthopedic injuries, you can check over here for treatment. Do not assume that older is wiser as teens account for half of those deaths. Spend some time walking with your kids around the neighborhood and set a good example for them to follow. Make sure they know the safest routes and inform them that drivers must yield to pedestrians on a crosswalk. Provide them with reflective clothing or reflective stickers for backpacks and book bags. Remind them to speak up and warn others if they notice another pedestrian in danger.

For more information about pedestrians and safe driving, visit our blog, Protect Pedestrians with Safe Driving – The Garage Plan Shop.

Tags: bike to school day, pedestrian safety tips, safe pedestrians, safety tips, walk to school day