LANSING, MI (WLKI)- AAA is reminding motorists, parents and trick-or-treaters to take additional safety precautions as Halloween activities bring more pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles into neighborhood streets.
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, which AAA says could mean more children walking through neighborhoods after dark, more people attending parties and more e-bike and e-scooter traffic.
Safe Kids Worldwide reports children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle on Halloween than on other days of the year. AAA said the most common trick-or-treating hours are between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down in residential areas, scan intersections and driveways carefully, put away phones and turn on headlights early. Motorists should also check around their vehicle before backing out of a parking space or driveway.
Parents are encouraged to use reflective tape, glow sticks or flashlights to make children easier to see. Costumes should fit properly and not block a child's vision.
AAA also urges children to use sidewalks and crosswalks, avoid crossing between parked vehicles and remove earbuds when crossing streets. Children younger than 12 should be supervised while trick-or-treating.
The organization also reminded adults to arrange a safe ride before consuming alcohol or other impairing substances.