LADOT: Halloween a Good Time to Teach Kids to Walk Safe

Last year, I complained that Los Angeles didn’t write out it’s own pedestrian safety tips for Halloween.  This year an LADOT press release not only lists some helpful, yet common-sense, suggestions;  but also uses the holiday to push parents to better educate their children about safe walking.  After listing all of their suggestion, the press release quotes LADOT General Manager Rita Robinson:

“The best safety lesson parents can teach their children is to model the right pedestrian behavior. Halloween night is a great time to start” said Rita L. Robinson, general manager, LADOT. “When children see their parents are cautious and looking both ways before crossing the street, children will internalize the value of being safe citizens” said Robinson.

For the full text of the LADOT press release, read on after the jump.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ANNOUNCES SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS

LOS ANGELES (October 27, 2008)—The City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) wants to remind parents that Halloween is a good time to teach children about pedestrian and traffic safety.

LADOT has issued simple guidelines that will help safeguard children on Halloween night and whenever they walk in their neighborhoods at night.

● Adults should accompany children to make sure safety rules are followed.
● Cross streets only at intersections and look both ways before crossing a street.
● Walk within crosswalks.
● Wear white or reflective clothing.
● Walk in well-lit areas
● Remove any masks before crossing streets.
● Look before crossing driveways to make sure vehicles are not backing up.
● Never cross a street in the middle of the block or between parked vehicles.

“The best safety lesson parents can teach their children is to model the right pedestrian behavior. Halloween night is a great time to start” said Rita L. Robinson, general manager, LADOT. “When children see their parents are cautious and looking both ways before crossing the street, children will internalize the value of being safe citizens” said Robinson.

LADOT wants to remind drivers that pedestrian safety is their responsibility too and they should drive carefully whenever children are present. Every school day, LADOT crossing guards or Traffic Officers are assigned at elementary school crossings meeting criteria for student volume, motorist traffic and other factors.

Drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to visit LADOT’s public education and awareness campaign at www.WatchTheRoad.org or www.ladot.lacity.org for additional information about roadway safety.

Photo: Andy.Schultz/Flickr