Be Aware and Follow the Rules of the Road
Ontario is reminding drivers and pedestrians to stay safe and be aware while ghouls, goblins and ghosts celebrate this Halloween.
To help protect excited trick-or-treaters who are on the streets after dark, drivers are reminded to:
Slow down and stay alert, especially near stopped vehicles who may be dropping off children
Always yield to crossing pedestrians, be aware of your surroundings and watch out for children darting onto the street
Avoid any distractions – keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel
Always communicate clearly with pedestrians and other drivers on the road, and use your turn signals
Always drive sober
Parents and trick-or-treaters are encouraged to review safety precautions before heading out, including pedestrian and traffic safety rules, and are reminded to:
Be seen — there are many ways to make it easier for drivers to see you, like wearing costumes with bright fabrics or reflective material and carrying a flashlight
Be alert and cautious of surroundings, especially on roadways
Look both ways when crossing the street and make eye contact with drivers
Always walk — do not run from house to house
Walk on the sidewalks whenever possible and always cross at pedestrian crossovers, crosswalks or marked intersections
If a sidewalk is unavailable, walk on the left side of the street facing traffic
Ensure children under the age of 12 have proper supervision
Trick-or-treat in familiar areas that are well lit
QUICK FACTS
Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death for Canadian children.
On average, one person is killed on Ontario’s roads every 17 hours. In 2014, pedestrians and cyclists made up approximately 25 per cent of Ontario’s road fatalities.
In May, Ontario passed legislation to protect the most vulnerable such as pedestrians and cyclists, by giving municipalities more tools to address speeding. These tools include the ability to set reduced default speed limits and use automated speed-enforcement systems on roads with speed limits below 80 km/h that are designated as community safety zones or in school zones.
In June 2015, Ontario passed legislation to toughen penalties for offences such as distracted driving.
In September, Ontario announced that it will propose legislation that, if passed, would help protect pedestrians and cyclists, and reduce the number of people killed or injured by impaired, distracted and dangerous drivers.
