Media Contact: John Lisle (DDOT) at (202) 671-2004

(Washington, DC) — Despite the many ghosts and goblins roaming the District this weekend, trick-or-treaters can avoid running into anything truly scary by taking a few simple precautions. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) encourages pedestrians and drivers to adhere to the following safety tips which were adapted from tips provided by Safe Kids USA:

Keeping Kids Safe on Halloween

To ensure trick-or-treaters stay safe, DDOT recommends that children:

• always trick-or-treat with an adult until at least age 10
• only trick-or-treat in familiar areas that are well lit
• cross streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks; look left, right and left again when crossing; always walk, don’t run, when crossing streets
• make eye contact with drivers and watch for cars that are turning or backing up
• walk on sidewalks or paths; if there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible
• never dart out into the street or cross in-between parked cars
• wear light-colored, flame-retardant costumes decorated with retro-reflective tape or stickers
• wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes to prevent trips and falls
• carry a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility to drivers
• wear face paint and makeup; a mask can restrict a child’s vision

Driving Safely on Halloween

Drivers have a very important part to play in keeping trick-or-treaters safe from harm.  DDOT reminds motorists to be extra careful this Halloween and recommends that drivers:

• be especially alert in residential neighborhoods; drive more slowly and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic on and near the road
• be sure to drive with your full headlights on so you can spot children from greater distances; take extra time to actively look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs
• remember that costumes can limit children’s visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle
• enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully
• remember that children are excited on this night and may move in unpredictable ways
• reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and pedestrians

The regional Street Smart campaign is also urging drivers and pedestrians to pay stronger attention to each other on Halloween and throughout the year. The Don’t Be a Zombie: Walk and Drive Alive! education and enforcement effort stresses the dangers of distractions like cell phones for everyone behind the wheel and on foot. For more information, visit www.mwcog.org/streetsmart.