Utah Highway Patrol encourages all to make safety the top priority this Friday while celebrating Halloween.
“We’re nearing that time of the year where it’s getting darker earlier and staying darker later,” shares UHP Sgt. Mike Alexander. “It’s hard to see pedestrians when they’re not wearing reflective clothing or lighting, and we’ve forgotten what it’s like to drive when it’s darker in the evenings and the mornings. Parents need to talk to their children about safe pedestrian habits. That’s going to include using sidewalks, using crosswalks, wearing reflective clothing, wearing reflective gear on their clothing if they’re not reflective.” This can be a glow stick, piece of reflective gear, something to add or clip on the costume, or a light up candy bag.
Jason Mettmann with the Utah Highway Safety Office and Zero Fatalities group says, “As you’re moving through the neighborhood, don’t zig-zag from house to house, from one house across the street to the other house across the street. Stay on the same side of the road and find a safe place to cross.” And to the drivers, please be patient with pedestrians. “Many young kids are trick-or-treating for the first time and are still learning how to be safe.”
