Police provide Halloween safety tips

Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, announced that additional patrols will be on the roads tomorrow night to help ensure that everyone has a safe and happy Halloween.

“Children are twice as likely to get struck by a car on Halloween as any other day of the year,” Colonel Assumpico said. “Most of these crashes occur from 5 to 9 p.m. at night, when streets are likely to be filled with excited children darting from house to house to go trick-or-treating.”

Colonel Assumpico encouraged all motorists to use extra care, especially when driving through residential areas. She also noted that one-third of all fatal pedestrian crashes that occur on Halloween involve drivers ages 16 to 25, so she encouraged parents to remind young, inexperienced drivers to be especially careful when out on the roads on Halloween.

Adults also need to celebrate responsibly, Colonel Assumpico said. Additional patrols will be aggressively enforcing all motor vehicle laws, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They also will be stepping up enforcement of all other violations, including speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, talking or texting while driving and use of seatbelts and child passenger seats.

The Rhode Island State police asks the assistance and cooperation of all motorists to ensure a safe and happy Halloween.  Here are some reminders:

• Drive slowly and be alert in residential areas
• Keep your headlights on – even in the daylight
• Watch for children darting across the street or out from behind parked cars
• Yield to young pedestrians, even if they’re not at a crosswalk or intersection
• Never drink and drive
• Call 911 if you see anyone operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe manner