Check out trick-or-treat times in Central Kentucky, plus tips to have a safe Halloween
It’s almost Halloween, and while claims of poisoned or tampered with candy are largely overblown, there is a more everyday safety risk parents should keep in mind: pedestrian-involved car accidents.
When more vehicles and pedestrians are sharing the roads, there’s a higher chance more of these types of crashes could occur, and national highway safety data shows a spike in child pedestrian fatalities on Halloween.
Auto group AAA is warning drivers to be extra mindful this year given Halloween falls on a Tuesday, meaning festivities could stretch throughout the preceding weekend.
“We’re urging drivers to keep an eye out for pedestrians all weekend long,” AAA spokesperson Adrienne Woodland said in a news release Wednesday. “Slow down in neighborhoods, and avoid distractions and impairment behind the wheel to keep everyone safe.”
Here’s a quick Halloween safety refresher for drivers, parents and trick-or-treaters so that everyone can enjoy the delights of the spooky season. Plus, we’ve rounded up trick-or-treat times for Lexington and surrounding areas, according to city clerks’ offices.
Drivers: Slow down and avoid distracted driving
If you plan to be on the roads during trick-or-treating hours (and you might be come Tuesday), slow down while passing through residential neighborhoods and be extra aware of who’s in the road.
AAA and law enforcement generally recommend these tips for motorists:
When you’re driving, you’re driving. Eliminate distractions, especially your phone. Keep it in your pocket and set a driving focus to silence distracting calls, text messages or notifications.
Use your sense of hearing, too. If you’re rolling through a residential neighborhood, crack your window and turn off your music. Your vehicle may not offer the best sight lines, but hearing can compensate for what you didn’t see coming.
Make a conscious effort to slow down in neighborhoods and obey all traffic signs and signals. Consider driving 5 mph below the posted speed limit to give yourself more time to react. Sometimes young children get too excited and run into the street. Anticipate that.
Look for children crossing the street. They may not be paying close attention to traffic, and may cross the street between parked cars or away from the crosswalk. If they look like they’re about to cross as you approach, drop your speed a little and be ready to react. Look for eye contact.
If you’re on the way to a friend’s Halloween party or some other event, and you need to check your phone for directions, look over the route before you leave the driveway. Give yourself plenty of time to get there without the need to rush. And if you’re going with friends, even better — designate a navigator. It’s one less thing to think about, and it frees up your attention.
Don’t drive under the influence. Leave your car at home and use a ride-share service if you’re going out for Halloween festivities.
Parents and trick-or-treaters: Be visible and mindful of safety risks
For parents and guardians, AAA recommends planning ahead. Make sure your child knows how to safely cross the street and to only stop at well-lit houses. Remind them to never enter a stranger’s home or garage.
Other tips for parents and trick-or-treaters include:
Parents: Make sure your children’s costumes are safe. They should be as visible as possible and shouldn’t obstruct your child’s view. Glow sticks can enhance visibility and be used to decorate your child’s Halloween costume.
Plan ahead and discuss the route you’ll be taking. Put a piece of paper with your child’s name, their address and your phone number in case you get separated.
Be in the moment. Avoid updating social media until before or after your trick-or-treat run. Try to avoid checking your phone while looking after your children.
Trick-or-treaters: Stay on the sidewalks and avoid walking in the street. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left hand side of the street facing traffic. Always remember to look both ways before crossing the street.
Stay with the group and don’t wander off.
What to know about area trick-or-treat times:
Trick-or-treating generally begins in the late afternoon and concludes in the early evening as the sun sets and visibility breaks down. However, given that Halloween is on a Tuesday this year, those hours can coincide with rush hour traffic. You might consider pushing trick-or-treating back an hour to 6 p.m. or taking your children to a trunk or treat event beforehand.
Trick-or-treat times for Lexington and surrounding areas include the following, according to city clerks’ offices:
Lexington/Fayette County: 6-8 p.m. on Halloween
Georgetown/Scott County: 6-8 p.m. on Halloween
Bourbon County: 6-8 p.m. Halloween
Winchester/Clark County: 5-8 p.m. on Halloween
Richmond/Madison County: Starts at 7 p.m.
Nicholasville/Jessamine County: Starts at 6 p.m.
Versailles: 6-8 p.m. on Halloween
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