AAA Chicago Offers Tips for a Safe Halloween

AURORA, Ill., Oct. 24, 2003 -- Each Halloween there is an increased number of pedestrian deaths, especially among children. AAA Chicago reminds pedestrians and motorists to use extra precaution when walking or driving during neighborhood trick-or-treat hours.

"Children tend to focus on the excitement of Halloween so it's important for motorists to be particularly cautious," said Steve Nolan, spokesman for the AAA-Chicago Motor Club. "Not only are more children outside, they are usually walking around after dark dressed in dark clothing."

  Safety tips for Trick-or-Treaters:
  -- Carry a flashlight.
  -- Stay on the sidewalks; obey traffic signals and cross streets at the
     corners.
  -- Don't cut across yards or driveways.
  -- Walk, don't run.

  Safety tips for Parents:
  -- Plan the trick-or-treating route in advance and only include
     neighborhoods you know.
  -- Be sure to accompany all children under the age of 12.
  -- Have all children over age 12 travel in small groups and follow a
     strict curfew.

  Safety for Motorists:
  -- Slow down; drive 5 mph slower than the posted speed limit for extra
     time to react to children who dart out in the street.
  -- Pay extra attention to the possibility of children crossing the street
     mid-block or between parked cars.
  -- Broaden your usual scanning distance. Look into yards and on front
     porches.
  -- Turn your lights on even in daylight hours. Lights make the car more
     visible.
  -- Remember kids may be excited and forget to "stop, look and listen."

  AAA-Chicago Motor Club wishes everyone a safe and happy Halloween.

AAA-Chicago Motor Club is a not-for-profit, tax paying membership organization serving more than 800,000 members and the general public in Illinois and northern Indiana. AAA-CMC provides automotive, insurance, travel and financial services, and is a member of the Auto Club Group.

For more AAA news, visit our web site at www.aaa.com