Despite the fact that autumn has officially begun, the weather is still mild enough that pedestrians and bicyclists will require ongoing vigilance to avoid tragedies. Halloween also falls at the end of the month – a day that requires special attention, since children will be out and about trick or treating.
Halloween Safety
The National Safety Council urges motorists to be especially alert on Halloween.
- Before heading out on the road, find out about Halloween parade routes to avoid traffic. Be patient if you are delayed by Halloween parade traffic.
- Watch out for children darting out from between parked cars, and walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
- At twilight and later in the evening, watch out for children in dark clothes and costumes.
- If you are the victim of teenagers throwing eggs at your vehicle, do not escalate the incident by getting out of your vehicle. It is much easier and safer to proceed to a car wash.
- Be on the alert for criminals using Halloween to disguise their appearance.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists are supposed to follow the same traffic laws as motorists, but it’s often not the case. They run red lights and stop signs, travel the wrong way on one-way streets, make sudden, unsafe turns, pass vehicles on the right unsafely, and commit numerous other illegal acts. Always be prepared to take defensive, evasive actions if you observe a bicyclist.
- Respect bike lanes and a bicyclist’s right to the same streets you travel on.
- Prior to unloading/loading a passenger, always check your side-view mirrors for bicyclists attempting to pass in a narrow lane to avoid “dooring”.
- Beware: TLC-regulated drivers are often targeted for fraudulent claims by bicyclists.
- Always call the police and make a report if you are involved in an incident or accident with a bicyclist. Do not leave before police arrive or you can be arrested for leaving the scene of an accident, even if you know your vehicle did not make contact with the bicyclist.
- If you are involved in an accident with a bicyclist, try to obtain a video of the bicyclist after the accident, and note their clothing and helmet.
- If you are involved in an accident with a bicyclist working as a delivery person, be sure to obtain the name of their employer.
- Always anticipate unsafe actions by pedicabs. They frequent bus lanes and often ignore traffic signals.
- Prior to reaching a passenger’s destination, remind them about exiting your vehicle safely. Most bicycle accidents occur when passengers open their door to exit a vehicle. Affix the proper caution labels on your rear and front doors.
Pedestrian Accidents
All vehicles must yield to all pedestrians at all times at all locations in New York City, where millions of pedestrians cross intersections on any given day.
- Try to avoid frightening a pedestrian by blowing your horn at them or angering one by moving at an excessive speed towards them unnecessarily. Such actions may lead to a pedestrian banging on the hood of your vehicle or falling down and making a fraudulent claim.
- Always call the police and make a report if you are involved in an incident or accident involving a pedestrian. Do not leave before police arrive or you can be arrested for leaving the scene of an accident, even if you know your vehicle did not make contact with the pedestrian.
- Anticipate unsafe acts by pedestrians crossing an intersection while using a cell phone, talking to other pedestrians, eating, or just not paying attention.
- Use extra caution for senior citizens, whose hearing/vision may be impaired.
- Beware of pedestrians crossing between double-parked vehicles or jaywalking in front of a bus in the process of loading passengers.
Use extra caution in the hours just after darkness falls when visibility is diminished.
