Tennessee Highway Patrol shares Halloween enforcement and safety tips
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL:
TENNESSEE – The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) urges everyone’s participation to make this a safe Halloween. The THP has plans for increased visibility and enforcement efforts over the Halloween weekend to ensure troopers are promoting a safe and happy holiday for all Tennesseans.
Per the Tennessee Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN), there were a total of 18 fatal motor vehicle crashes in Tennessee during the 2024 Halloween holiday period. Four of the 18 fatal crashes were single vehicle crashes, ten were crashes involving multiple vehicles and four crashes involved drunk drivers. This resulted in 18 people being killed on Tennessee roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 31 percent of all people killed in motor vehicle crashes nationally during the Halloween holiday period (6 p.m. October 27 – 5:59 a.m. November 1) in 2023 were in crashes involving a drunk driver.
“There is typically a dramatic increase in pedestrian traffic on Halloween. It is important for us to remind motorists to slow down and watch for children on all roadways. This is a time of good family fun. However, children, parents, guardians and motorists must remember that safety comes first,” Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long said.
Over the Halloween weekend, 2024 there were five pedestrian fatalities in Tennessee. That’s three more pedestrian deaths when compared to the same time in 2023. Please remember, children will be out trick-or-treating and the parents/guardians accompanying them are at an increased risk of injury during the Halloween weekend.
“Troopers will be conducting increased patrols and using enforcement techniques to look for reckless, aggressive and impaired drivers,” THP Colonel Matt Perry said. “If you plan to drink then please plan ahead for a designated sober driver, or take a ride share. It is crucial you never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Don’t make the life-threatening decision to get behind the wheel if you have been drinking. Our goal is to keep children safe from those who blatantly disobey the law this Halloween,” Perry added.
Halloween safety tips for parents, children and motorists are listed below.
Tips for Motorists
- Slow down. Watch for children walking on roads, medians and curbs.
- Be extra alert when pulling in and out of driveways.
- Be especially alert for children darting out from between parked vehicles and from behind bushes and shrubs. They’re excited and may not be paying attention.
- Do not pass other vehicles that have stopped in the roadway. They could be dropping off children.
- If you are driving to a Halloween party, put your mask on after you park the car.
- Never drink and drive – tonight or any night. If you are partying, designate a driver.
Tips for Parents
- Adults should accompany children at all times and supervise their “trick or treat” activities.
- Teach children to “stop, look left-right-left, and listen” before they cross the street.
- Instruct children to stay on sidewalks and to cross only at corners or crosswalks.
- Use a flashlight and wear retro-reflective strips or patches on your clothing or costume to be more visible to motorists.
- Be certain that the mask does not obstruct vision or hearing.
- Ensure that costumes do not impede walking or driving ability.
Tips for Pedestrians (children and adults)
- Require children to wear retro-reflective materials and carry a flashlight at dawn and dusk and in other low-light situations, such as rainy or foggy weather.
- Before crossing a street, stop at the curb or edge of the road and look left, right and left again to be sure no cars are coming. Continue to check for traffic while on the street.
- Walk – never run – from house to house or across the road.
- Cross the street only at intersections and crosswalks.
- When crossing at an intersection with a traffic light, be sure to watch for turning cars. Obey all pedestrian signals.
- Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the street facing traffic.
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