Pedestrian and Motorists Safety Tips
Santa Fe, NM – As New Mexicans participate in Halloween, The New Mexico Department of Transportation wants to remind both motorists and pedestrians to be extra safe while trick-or-treating.
New Mexico is ranked the highest in the nation for pedestrian fatalities per capita. Children are three times more likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Children are at greater risk of injury than adults because they are small, have trouble judging distance and speeds, and have little to no experience with traffic rules.
This Halloween, motorists and pedestrians of all ages are encouraged to stay alert and follow simple safety practices as they navigate the streets and roadways.
Trick-or-Treaters:
- Light the way. Bring glow sticks or a flashlight with extra batteries to see and be seen in the dark.
- Be visible. Put reflective tape on clothes, costumes, and trick-or-treat bags to make them more visible to passing motorists.
- Use the crosswalk. Cross the street at a crosswalk or intersections. Never cross the street from between parked cars.
- Stay on the sidewalk. If available, use the sidewalk. Otherwise, walk on the shoulder facing traffic.
- Pay attention and stay off your phone. Distracted walking can be as hazardous as distracted driving so watch where you are going.
- Review traffic safety. Talk to trick-or-treaters about basic traffic laws before leaving the house.
Motorists:
- Practice defensive driving. Be cautious and stay alert to reduce the risk of getting into a crash. Enter and exit driveways carefully.
- Put down your phone. Place your phone in the glove box or back seat.
- Watch your speed. Pay attention to the speed limit and drive slower when around pedestrians.
- Be prepared to stop. Trick-or-treaters may ignore crosswalks and traffic signals so stay alert. Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk – they may be stopped for a pedestrian.
- Properly buckle kids no matter how short the trip. Properly secure children in their car seats, booster seats, and seat belts when transporting them, and make sure their costumes don’t interfere with the restraint.
- Do not drive under the influence. Every 50 minutes, one person in the United States dies in a motor vehicle crash that involves an alcohol-impaired driver.
