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    PennDOT, Partners Host Children’s Safety Themed Event Ahead of Halloween

    October 26, 2023

    Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and other members of the Allegheny County Safety Partners hosted a safety themed "Trunk-Or-Treat" event today to promote pedestrian safety as children prepare to celebrate Halloween.

    Ahead of Halloween, the safety partners visited Bellevue Elementary School, a school within a walking district, in the Pittsburgh region to host a safety focused "Trunk-Or-Treat" event. Members from the various agencies decorated their vehicles in safety or child-friendly Halloween themes, distributed prizes, and discussed various safety tips with the kindergarteners in preparation for the upcoming holiday.

    For instance, the PennDOT vehicle was decorated as a pedestrian crosswalk, using a cardboard car, pedestrian channelizer, and a crosswalk made from duct tape. While going through the PennDOT station, the students were guided to use the crosswalk to receive their prize.

    Reminding the young children to practice safe behavior, each agency shared a Halloween safety tip with the children as they approached the vehicles. The child-friendly tips included:

    • Only cross at corners and use crosswalks when possible.
    • Always use sidewalks. If none are available, walk facing traffic.
    • Wear a brightly colored costume (or adjust a costume) to be highly visible to other pedestrians and motorists.
    • Carry a flashlight, glow stick, or any other light up tool to increase visibility.
    • Use face paint instead of a mask to allow you to see better.
    • Only trick-or-treat with an adult or responsible older sibling.

    Pedestrians are much more vulnerable in a crash than vehicles. According to PennDOT data in 2022, there were 376 crashes statewide on October 31, resulting in 4 fatalities. Of these crashes, 11 involved pedestrians and 21 were alcohol related.

    With trick-or-treat festivities around the corner, drivers can expect to see many more pedestrians on the roadway. Often it can be difficult for motorists to see pedestrians at night, especially small children wearing costumes. Drivers are reminded to stay alert, abide by the posted speed limit, yield to pedestrians, and never get behind the wheel impaired.

    For more Halloween night safety tips for pedestrians and motorists, PennDOT's Halloween Safety Fact Sheet is available online.

    The Allegheny County Safety Partners consist of AAA East Central, Allegheny County Health Department, Allegheny County Police Department, Allegheny County Pretrial Services, Allegheny County Sheriff Department, Children's Hospital Injury Prevention, City of Pittsburgh Police, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project.

    For more information, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.

     PennDOT's media center offers social-media-sized graphics highlighting topics such as seat belts, impaired driving, and distracted driving for organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders.

    For regional updates, follow PennDOT on X and join the Greater Pittsburgh Area PennDOT Facebook group.

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