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Question: Please remind parents to keep their children safe this Halloween. With the holiday being on a Friday I’m sure there will be more people out. We know how dangerous Oahu traffic is all the time, so we must be extra careful. This goes for drivers too. Slow down! Don’t turn the holiday into a tragedy. This isn’t a question but I hope you’ll print it. Answer: With traffic fatalities on Oahu nearly double what they were this time last year (72 versus 38, as of Tuesday), we’ve heard from readers urging trick-or-treaters, the adults who accompany them, party hosts and their guests, and, most frequently, the riders/drivers of any sort of vehicle — from bicycles to trucks — to act with utmost care this Halloween. Nationwide, children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than on an average day, and nearly half of all fatal crashes on Halloween involve alcohol impairment, according to Insuranceopedia, an insurance comparison company. Its tips for safer trick-or-treating include adding reflective tape to costumes, avoiding vision-blocking masks, sticking to well-lit, familiar routes and carrying a flashlight or glow stick. Motorists should “drive like every block is a sidewalk. Slow down, turn headlights on, keep your phone away and plan a sober ride,” it says. “A few small tweaks, like reflective tape and early headlights, turn a risky evening into a safe one,” Max Coupland, Insuranceopedia’s CEO, said in a news release. The Honolulu Police Department, National Highway Safety Administration and AAA all emphasize Halloween safety. Here is a summary of their various tips: Trick-or-treaters and other pedestrians Be visible: Light-colored costumes, reflective tape, flashlights, glow sticks and light clips attached to costumes or treat bags all help you be seen. Be alert: Don’t look at your phone or wear earbuds while walking. Walk, don’t run, from house to house. Stop at driveways to make sure no vehicle is backing out. Use sidewalks: Stick to sidewalks whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic on the far left side of the road. Cross streets safely: Use crosswalks and abide by traffic signs and signals. Don’t cross midblock or between parked cars. Look for cars, bikes and other vehicles; never assume that drivers or riders can see you. Slow down: Even a few extra miles per hour can be deadly in residential areas. Be patient with pedestrians crossing streets. Watch out: Expect the unexpected. Turn on your headlights before dusk. Look for movement between parked cars and costumes that may be hard to see. Stay focused: Keep your eyes on the road while driving. Pull over if you need to use your phone for any reason. Party hosts and guests Plan ahead: If alcohol will be served, arrange safe rides home, whether that’s a designated driver for your group or an Uber, taxi or other sober ride for individuals. Be responsible: Party hosts serving alcohol also should serve food and nonalcoholic beverages. They should collect car keys from guests who are drinking and make sure every guest has a safe way home. Step up: Don’t let friends drive drunk or otherwise impaired. Speak up: If you see a drunk driver, call the police. Mahalo to the many workers of the Honolulu Transit System. On Oct. 18, we decided to explore Oahu using a combination of the Skyline and TheBus system. We had a great time thanks to the many workers manning the different stations (including bus drivers) who answered multiple questions and were available to assist with our journey around the island. And, a special mahalo to the many bus riders who also guided us to the right bus stops or assured us that we were in the right place for the next part of our ride. — Four kama‘aina Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813; call 808-529-4773; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
