Walking is a right. Driving a two-ton machine capable of speeds over 100 mph is a privilege. But sometimes transportation agencies seem to think it’s the other way around. And there’s no time of year when this is more evident than Halloween.
“Pedestrian shaming” tends to peak in the fall. It starts some time around Walk to School Day, picks up steam as the daylight hours wane, and reliably hits its climax each year on October 31, the most deadly day of the year for young pedestrians. Halloween can teach us volumes about our neighborhoods, but it can also teach us a thing or two about our collective approach to protecting trick-or-treaters.
We couldn’t help but notice how some departments of transportation have focused their Halloween safety messaging at pedestrians, and not at those with the ability to cause harm. For example, in both Florida and Georgia, it’s up to pedestrians to make sure they can be seen by drivers:
Use crosswalks while trick-or-treating, be seen and watch for cars. Have a safe #Halloween
— FLORIDA DOT (@MyFDOT) October 31, 2016
We are out on the corner of North Ave and Peachtree W reminding Pedestrians to #SeeAndBeSeen #DriveAlertGa pic.twitter.com/C5Q5fKHnCA
— Georgia DOT (@GADeptofTrans) October 31, 2016
In Pennsylvania, drivers apparently have nothing to do with pedestrians being struck:
"Kids are 4x more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year." #pedestriansafety #Halloween #SlowDown https://t.co/xJ7yGX34zR
— PA Department of Transportation (@PennDOTNews) October 31, 2016
The Federal Highway Administration offers no advice for drivers, but they do have some some costume ideas:
Be safe, be seen this Halloween! Dress up your costume with retroreflective material. More safety tips: https://t.co/zlSDGXafCH pic.twitter.com/mNDbvLfTAX
— Federal Highway Admn (@USDOTFHWA) October 31, 2016
So does the Canadian Automobile Association:
Ugh, pedestrian-shaming for children! How to dress your kid for Halloween, according to automobile associations https://t.co/hpCwurw4iO pic.twitter.com/66fkjVZ5WX
— Alissa Walker (@awalkerinLA) October 31, 2016
The North Carolina Department of Transportation stops short of recommending kids dress up as objects that drivers are used to avoiding…
If you trick-or-treat this #Halloween, be like Buddy the Barrel and check out these tips from Watch for Me NC: https://t.co/QmmCRysDRh. 🎃 pic.twitter.com/oN9YagWTNO
— NCDOT (@NCDOT) October 31, 2016
…but the New York State Department of Transportation literally thinks you should dress your kid up as a piece of traffic safety equipment:
Safety first! We think this kid wins Halloween. We may be prejudice! #OrangeforSafety pic.twitter.com/nWkK1ovy9D
— NYSDOT (@NYSDOT) October 31, 2016
There are exceptions of course. The Texas and Illinois DOTs are reminding drivers to slow down and pay attention — good advice any day, really — and The Missouri Department of Transportation’s only Halloween-themed tweet reminds drivers to be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters (though we don’t think you’ll find many on a rural highway like the one pictured):
Remember there will be an increase in pedestrian traffic tonight! Be on the lookout for trick-or-treating ghosts & goblins! #HappyHalloween pic.twitter.com/Lr0UpB82SZ
— MoDOT (@MoDOT) October 31, 2016
And instead of telling kids to watch out for cars, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises drivers to slow down and watch out for kids.
#SafetyMonday – Watch for little walkers, ghosts and goblins tonight and every night. pic.twitter.com/8ZtlKzgBil
— Louisiana DOTD (@La_DOTD) October 31, 2016
#SafetyMonday – No need for speed. Slow down. Watch for little ghosts, witches and goblins. pic.twitter.com/MPvTGT9Gmr
— Louisiana DOTD (@La_DOTD) October 31, 2016
Have a safe, happy Halloween, and be careful tonight (and every night) regardless of what mode you choose.
[…] MTR: “Halloween Marks the Peak of Pedestrian Shaming Season” […]
[…] Cutrufo at Mobilizing the Region tracked some of the worst examples yesterday, like the gem from Georgia DOT above. He says […]
Great piece. Given the level of carnage, governors should declare Halloween a ‘state of emergency’ and mandate speed limits of 25mph and lower on ALL streets.
Georgia Department of Transportation appreciates the comments in your blog concerning pedestrian safety. GDOT’s SEE & BE SEEN campaign, launched on Halloween, reminds walkers and drivers of their shared responsibility to look out for each other for safety. Pedestrian deaths are on the rise here in Georgia, up 37 percent in just two years. The Department’s SEE & BE SEEN campaign – in partnership with PEDS – aims to make it safer to walk in Georgia. For more information on the campaign, visit the Department’s safety page at http://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/SafetyOperation/SBS or visit PEDS at http://www.peds.org.
Thanks again for your efforts to make it safer to walk on our roadways. Be safe!
Telling pedestrians to be responsible for themselves is *not* shaming pedestrians. That would be like calling it “Driver Shaming” to tell a driver to turn on the headlights in the rain or in the dark. Equally ridiculous.
Drivers AND pedestrians alike have the responsibility to obey traffic laws, and to make sure they can see and be seen. Many pedestrians don’t realize just how much harder it is to see them, even at a 25 mph driver, if said pedestrian is wearing all dark clothing.
It does a great disservice to spin appropriate advice into something it’s not.
Does Rob drive and if so would he mind having a monitor on his car to see if he obeys the speed limits he advocates? While I would agree with a speed limit of 25 – 30 miles an hour on most streets, there are also rural roads used by some pedestrians where 25 mph could never be enforced or respected. Also cars, bikes and pedestrians must be visible and easily spotted in headlights. If you blend into the background I won’t be able to see you until it is too late even at reduced speeds.