CAA Manitoba is reminding motorists and trick-or-treaters to be safe, visible, and vigilant this Halloween.
A spokesperson says streets that are normally quiet can become busy with trick-or-treaters, and excited children may not be watching for oncoming traffic.
Ewald Friesen is Manager of Government and Community Relations with CAA Manitoba. He says being vigilant applies to all motorists, not just parents of children going door to door.
Friesen encourages motorists to keep their eyes peeled behind the wheel, noting that excited trick-or-treaters may not always look out for oncoming traffic. He suggests removing any distractions and continually scanning not only the road ahead but also driveways, front yard spaces, and between parked cars.
He also suggests turning on your headlights.
"Wherever you are going, keep them on so that you can see where you are going and also so that our little ones can see where you are at," says Friesen.
CAA recommends turning on your headlights 30 minutes before sunset and keeping them on when it is dark.
Friesen also stresses the importance of obeying road signs.
"Too often we've seen people get a little too casual about this on this very, very tricky day when it comes to navigating traffic," he says. "And so, not obeying those road signs is extremely dangerous."
Friesen says it is also very important to never drive while impaired and says if you are consuming cannabis, to consider staying home.
CAA also has some safety tips for trick-or-treaters. Friesen says Statistics Canada reports that more than four million children aged four to 14 will be hitting the streets today.
"We should all take a moment to pause on that number, that's a lot of kids," he says. "So, we can never really be too careful."
Friesen says there is a sobering statistic that 21 per cent of pedestrian fatalities happen when people are wearing dark clothes. For that reason, he stresses the importance of visibility while trick-or-treating in the dark, which includes staying in well-lit areas.
"What we're seeing these days is folks wearing glow sticks all over their body or reflector tags," says Friesen. "This is a great way to increase the visibility of trick-or-treaters."
He encourages kids to choose brightly coloured costumes instead of the all-black ones and also says it is a good idea to use makeup instead of masks. Friesen says masks tend to narrow your vision, while makeup can provide the same look but is safer.
Friesen says another safety tip is to remain on sidewalks. He notes that sidewalks give pedestrians a designated space to trick-or-treat safely. If no sidewalk is present, CAA recommends walking on the far-left side of the road. It is also recommended to only cross the street at marked crossings and to always look both ways.
"One in five pedestrian accidents happen at intersections," says Friesen. "So, when crossing an intersection, be sure to look both ways, demonstrate extra caution and care when crossing the street."
Friesen also encourages trick-or-treaters to go in groups, noting there is safety in numbers. Younger children should have a chaperone who can make sure that everyone stays safe.
CAA Manitoba also recommends dressing for the weather and making sure that costumes and outdoor wear do not obstruct your vision or hearing.
And finally, Friesen encourages families to plan out their routes. For example, parents or guardians should let their young trick-or-treaters know what time they will meet them at the end of the street.