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AAA Michigan Issues Alert For Halloween Pedestrians & Motorists

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aaamich.com

Halloween is Monday.  But some trick or treating could occur before then along with numerous Halloween parties.  AAA Michigan has issued its annual alert for trick or treat safety, along with a strong reminder for motorists to be safe on the roads. A reminder not to drink and drive, especially with the high volume of kids out and about.

“We’re keeping it pretty simple, basically for the kids, Be smart, be safe and and be seen on Halloween.”

Susan Hiltz, Public Affairs Director with AAA Michigan says with Halloween on Monday, its important children and adults alike remember to play it safe.

“That’s why we want to put out an alert statewide, we all need to be reminded, oh yeah, the kids will be running around, it’s going to be a little crazy on Monday; we also need to remember as adults, to be responsible and not get behind the wheel if we’ve been drinking.”

Hiltz says over the weekend there will be numerous parties.  She says drinking and driving attributes to startling statistics over the Halloween Holiday.

“Because when we’re looking at a national level, over half the fatalities across the nation involve drunk or  impaired drivers or motorcycle riders, that had point 08 or higher. And if we look at the local level in Michigan, 60% of fatal crashes over the Halloween weekend were alcohol or drug related, and so that’s a pretty strong stat for us to all be cautious.”

For the children’s part, Hiltz advises kids to “be smart, be safe and be seen” and follow basic rules for trick or treating.

“Plan and discuss the route your trick or treaters are taking,  establish a time for kids to return home, review safety precautions, make sure costumes are flame retardant and visible and cross streets only at the corner and look both ways; it’s a lot of basics.”

Hiltz says it may be basic, but it’s important to keep the message out about safe trick or treating.

“We love everybody to celebrate Halloween, but let’s be safe and careful with the kids.”

Jennifer is an award winning broadcast news journalist with more than two decades of professional television news experience including the nation's fifth largest news market. She's worked as both news reporter and news anchor for television and radio in markets from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo all the way to San Francisco, California.