All road users are being warned of the increased dangers posed by Halloween – with telematics data showing an 81% increase in collisions at crossroads on 31 October.
The analysis, compiled by the black box insurer ‘drive like a girl’, also shows claims for collisions at roundabouts rise by 33% compared to the rest of the year – with rear end collisions increasing by 31%.
Drive like a girl is encouraging young drivers to take extra care on the roads this evening.
Kelly Wilkins, head of customer service at drive like a girl, said: “October brings with it some added challenges – poor visibility, the reduction of natural daylight, and the added distraction of trick or treaters out in groups celebrating the occasion.
“With excited children and adolescents, very often in amazing costumes, wanting to celebrate the night, there will be more activity on the streets on 31 October.
“Young, inexperienced drivers, may be easily distracted by the festivities and in that moment, an accident may occur.”
‘Be seen this Halloween’
Meanwhile in Wales, parents across Carmarthenshire are being reminded to make sure their children can ‘Be seen this Halloween’.
Carmarthenshire Council’s road safety team has launched its annual ‘be seen’ campaign to coincide with Halloween.
Cllr Hazel Evans, executive board member for the environment, said: “On dark nights and in bad weather all pedestrians; and children in particular, are vulnerable on the roads because they are less visible to motorists.
“We want to encourage parents to ensure that their children are made aware of the importance of wearing bright clothing this time of year.
“Anyone travelling near traffic, for example children walking to and from school in the winter, should wear or carry something reflective in poor light and bright or fluorescent during the day to make themselves as visible as possible and keep them safe.”
Children would benefit from pedestrian safety messages
New statistics compiled by the North East Regional Road Safety Resource highlight the number of casualties associated with Halloween in that part of the country.
The briefing note, which uses statistics from 2014-18, has been produced to help local authorities plan campaigns at this time of the year.
The statistics show:
- 26% of casualties on Halloween were pedestrians
- 55% of pedestrians injured on Halloween were under 17 years
- 63% of injured pedestrians under 17 years were aged between 7-12 years
- Most casualties were injured after 4pm
- Most casualties were injured on unclassified roads away from a formal crossing point
The briefing note says children and teenagers would benefit from messages relating to pedestrian safety on and around the time of Halloween – with a focus on not been distracted when crossing the road.
Comment on this story