Halloween Drunk Driving Accidents Involving Pedestrians on The Rise
It’s time for Michigan families to celebrate Halloween with community Trick-or-Treating and plenty of fall festival events happening across the state. Tragically, these seasonal celebrations have triggered some of the most dangerous car accidents involving pedestrians, including children, making it one of the top three days of the year for pedestrian injuries and fatalities related to drunk drivers. When you mix dark costumes worn by masked and distracted children who don’t necessarily use crosswalks or follow traffic signals, along with a rise of impaired drivers who make poor choices, a higher-than-average amount of pedestrian accidents have naturally occurred.
According to a new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, a majority of drunk-driving crashes occurs from 6:00 p.m. on October 31 to 6:00 a.m. on November 1. The report also found that 21 to 34-year-olds accounted for half of the drunk driving accidents on Halloween night in 2016.
Michigan Trick-or-Treaters and drivers can avoid real-life horror on Halloween night by following these safety tips.
Families: Poorly-fitted or badly-designed costumes, as well as masks can already make it hard for kids to find a safe walking path, but they also increase the odds a child will not see a vehicle approaching. Parents can help make their child’s costume visible by adding reflective tape, flashlights and glow-in-the-dark items. In addition, warn older children that a driver of a motor vehicle may not see them if they are walking in an alleyway or cutting through parking lots. Children of all ages need to be seen and learn safe pedestrian behaviors.
Drivers: Adding to Halloween risks is the significant rise of drunk drivers who hit pedestrians walking on sidewalks, in parking lots, while crossing streets, or waiting in a driveway. After any amount of drinks, drivers should assume they are not equipped to operate a motor vehicle. Instead, they should recognize booze limits and take these following sober ride steps when planning their night out.
- Whether you have to use a rideshare app or find a designated driver to take you home, it’s important to know of a sober driving option if you need it.
- Know what your public transportation options are at the location where you will be. A bartender or restaurant staff may be able to help if you find yourself in an unknown neighborhood.
A review of state crash data from 2011 through 2015 by the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute found that those who choose to drive drunk often have poor decision-making skills and slower reaction time and are more likely to drive drugged as well. Because of this, don’t drink and drive on Halloween or any other time of the year.
No Excuse for Drunk Drivers Attorneys
Our team at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm want you and your community to have fun, happy and safe seasonal celebrations. Please share these messages with the people in your neighborhood who plan to to Trick-or-Treat, as well as family and friends planning a Halloween night out.
If something goes wrong and an accident occurs, know that our experienced personal injury attorneys are always here to help. Please call and speak to our car accident attorneys at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) or fill out the Free Case Evaluation Form.
