Halloween is approaching, and kids (and adults) are preparing for the spooky holiday. And while most are eager to savor those delicious treats on Halloween night, parents must be aware of the potential dangers on the road.
According to the National Security Council, children have twice as much chance of being hit by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year. It’s no coincidence that October ranks second in having the most motor vehicle deaths per month in the U.S.
“Low lighting and poor visibility at night are often the causes of accidents on Halloween,” says Jany Martínez-Ward, partner of The Ward Law Group, which represents Spanish-speaking victims of motor vehicle accidents. Parents should plan accordingly.
Martínez-Ward shares four tips to help you stay safe this Halloween:
- Bring a flashlight. Many little ones go trick-or-treating during the early hours of the evening when the sun’s still out. But with all the fun of getting treats from neighbors, it can get dark before you know it. Consider taking a flashlight to help improve visibility while walking from door to door as soon as the sun goes down.
- Use reflective tape or glow sticks. Easy to find in-store and attach to costumes or candy bags, reflective tape and glow sticks are super fun to bring along at night and, most importantly, can save lives. These simple adjustments can help alert drivers who are driving at night.
- Avoid using masks that cover the entire face. While sometimes essential to certain costumes, masks can obstruct a child’s vision and may inhibit their ability to see approaching traffic. Instead, consider using face paint to maintain vision as clear as possible.
- Travel in groups and stay in well-lit areas.
- As soon as night falls, try staying in areas with street lights, like downtown areas where other people are walking. This way, drivers have a higher chance of seeing groups of people crossing the streets than just one or two people.
There are many other ways to prevent car accidents, whether or not it be on Halloween. While on the road, drive cautiously and watch for people crossing the streets. It’s also important to discourage new and inexperienced drivers from driving, especially on Halloween when many pedestrians will be walking the streets. Adults who plan on attending Halloween parties that serve alcoholic beverages should use a designated driver or call an Uber or Lyft to ensure a safe arrival home.
About The Ward Law Group
The Ward Law Group is one of the largest law firms in South Florida, representing victims of motor vehicle accidents. With over a decade of experience handling personal injury cases, the attorneys at The Ward Law Group — Gregory Ward and Jany Martínez-Ward — have a track record of achieving results. The Ward Law Group team consists of bilingual lawyers, paralegals, and case managers who advocate for the rights of Spanish-speaking victims. The firm operates on a “contingency fee” basis, meaning payment is a fixed percentage of cases only after recovery. If a case is not successful, clients do not pay attorney fees.
For legal advice that you can trust, contact The Ward Law Group today or call 855-DOLOR-55 for a free consultation.
Jany Martinez Ward
Partner
Jany Martínez-Ward is a Founding and Managing Partner of The Ward Law Group, PL, a Florida law firm representing victims of car accidents. She focuses her practice on providing legal representation to Hispanic clients that have become injured in a car accident as a result of the negligence of others. In 2018, The National Trial Lawyers Association recognized Jany as one of the top attorneys in the state and among the top 40 under 40 attorneys.
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