October 30, 2008

This Halloween has the potential to be a very scary night indeed.   Many children will be out on the street ‘trick or treating’, not realising that they are in a cauldron of road dangers and really need to keep their wits about them.

The concoction of danger comes from the fact that Halloween falls on a Friday, statistically the worst day of the week for accidents.  That coupled with the clocks going back last weekend means that children on the street in dark clothes at dusk will be much less visible than even just a week ago.

In 2007, 51,792 accidents were recorded on Fridays - almost 4,000 more than on the next most dangerous day for accidents involving motor vehicles - Wednesday.  Late afternoon to early evening (4-6pm) is the most popular time for children's trick or treating outings and unfortunately covers the peak time on Fridays for serious accidents involving car users.

Adding to this perfect storm the end of British Summer time aggravates the 'fatal Friday phenomenon,' in late October.  In 2007, the pedestrian KSI (Killed or Seriously Injured) figure rose by 109 between September and October and by a further 32 between October and November.

If you’re out on the road it will pay you to be vigilant and aware that there are likely to be children lurking in the dark spaces, and given their sense of excitement they’re unlikely to be paying attention to the green cross code.  The RAC Foundation recommends the following measures to make sure your Halloween is spellbindingly safe:

1. Parents, make sure your coven of witches is close by at all times;
2. Accessorise! No trick or treating outfit is complete, or visible, without a Halloween lantern or flashing accessory;
3. Drivers, make sure you are extra vigilant this dark Friday evening, as excited tweens and teens focus on their next sweetie fix; not road safety. And…
4. Check, your vehicle lights. This is a good time of year to make sure you're visible.

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