Halloween Safety Tips

Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but we also want it to be a treat! Whether you’re out with your little ghosts, goblins and vampires or heading out on your own adventure, below are steps you can take to make sure the little trick-or-treaters make it home ok.

On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. More kids out on our streets = more opportunities for potential collisions.

Below are our top tips for Halloween Safety:

  • Adults, join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. For older kids, make sure they have a designated route, time/place to meet up, and a cell phone to get in touch if needed.
  • Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes, shoes and bags, and wear lighter colors (if possible) to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
  • Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks wherever possible. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
  • Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
  • When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Try out all pieces of a costume before Halloween to make sure your kid can move freely. And choose face paint over masks when possible, as masks can limit children’s vision.
  • Remove tripping hazards to keep your home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters. Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs, and sweep any leaves from sidewalks and steps.

Driving Tips:

  • Drivers – slow down and be alert! Turn on headlights earlier in the day to spot kids from further away.
  • Avoid driving through densely populated neighborhoods between 5-9 pm (or if you do, be prepared for delays.) Many neighborhoods post trick or treating maps which may help you plan your route.
  • Avoid any distractions. Even if you’re using hands free devices, avoid any phone calls and lower your music/drive with windows down if possible when in neighborhoods.
  • Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians, and at curbs.
  • Enter and exit driveways and lanes slowly and carefully.
  • Wait behind other vehicles that are pulled over – do not go around. They may be dropping off a group of children who could be coming out on both sides of the vehicle.
  • If you’re partying, stay sober or find another ride home.

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Signaling & Scanning

Signaling

  • Left Turn: Fully extend your left arm out to the side.
  • Right Turn: Fully extend your right arm out to the side or bend your left arm up at a right angle with your hand flat. Both are legal signals, and depend on your level of comfort with which arm you use.
  • Slowing or Stopping: Extend your left arm at a right angle with your hand open and pointing down towards the ground.

Scanning

Scanning is the act of looking over your shoulder, and is a key part of riding anywhere. It helps communicate your intentions to others and also shows you what is happening behind or around you.

Pro Tip: It may be difficult to scan and maintain a straight line while riding. Start by practicing scanning on a stationary bike to see your range of motion. You may want to purchase a mirror to help if you have limited range. Once you start practicing on a moving bike, if you have trouble maintaining a straight line you may want to try removing your hand (from the direction you are scanning) from the handlebars and place it on your lower back. This helps prevent your body from fully turning and pulling the handlebars. And make sure to keep peddling while scanning!

Scanning should be used in conjunction with signaling — you should scan before any turn and before making any signal.

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Sharing the trail

  • Be courteous & know the rules of the trail you are using.
  • Give a clear, audible signal when passing — bells or your voice are great!
  • Be cautious and yield to crossing traffic.
  • Stay to the right.
  • If you’re moving faster than the people in front of you, slow and wait for an opportunity to pass — don’t thread the needle.
  • Always be predictable — ride in a straight line, don’t weave across the trail.
  • Stay on the designated path.
  • Travel at a speed that allows you to watch for hazards as well as your surroundings.
  • Don’t blast your music. If you’re listening on headphones, make sure you can hear your surroundings or use one earbud.
  • Yield to more vulnerable path users. Bicyclists and skaters yield to pedestrians, pedestrians yield to those with young children or assistive devices.
  • If you’re riding in a group, move to a single file to allow oncoming traffic to pass.
  • If you are riding or walking while it is dark, be sure to use lights.
  • If you’re on the trail with your dog, make sure to keep it on a short leash. Retractable leashes are not recommended, as they can cause cuts and burns to both pets and people.
  • Keep it clean — whatever you bring in, bring out! If you notice a lot of trash or debris, call 311 or come out for a trail cleanup!

Our friends at The League of American Bicyclists have put together a great video overview below.

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Pick Your Parking

Nothing ruins your ride faster than having your bike stolen! Here are some steps you can take to seriously reduce the likelihood of that happening.

  • Use a U-lock. Cable locks can be cut more easily than you might think. Cheaper and older U-locks can often be broken without any tools. Sourcing your U-lock from a local bike shop is a good way to make sure you’re buying a quality product.
  • Don’t make it easy to steal! Bike thieves love low hanging fruit, and nothing deters them like the presence of a quality lock. Many thefts are crimes of opportunity, so make your bike the hardest one on the rack to steal.
  • Lock the frame first. Try to secure the wheels and seat, too. Your bike frame happens to be the most expensive part; make sure you lock it to something secure. Use a secondary cable to lock the wheels and seat. In many cases a U-lock can be used to lock both the frame and rear wheel. Accessories (lights, pumps, etc) are commonly stolen items. Take them with you.
  • Your lock is only as good as what it is locked to. Make sure whatever you locked up to isn’t going anywhere. Be mindful that trees and wood can be cut or kicked through.
  • Your garage, shed, or storage room isn’t as safe as you think. Even if you have parked your bike in a “secure location” be sure to lock it to something. Bikes are commonly stolen from garages or shared basements.
  • Document it! Take pictures of your bike, record the serial number, and where possible list your bike on your insurance.
  • After you’ve done that, make sure to register your bike with Savannah Police Department and Bike Index. The Bike Index makes stolen bikes harder to sell and easier to recover by making sure important information about your bike is there when you need it the most. The process is simple, secure, and free.

Need to find available bike parking in Savannah? Check out our map below. If you find a rack that isn’t on our map, please submit it to info@bikewalksavannah.org.

Learn more tips on our Resources Page.

This blog post is produced thanks to support from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Vision Zero Plan Drop-In Sessions and Interactive Workshops

In August, the City of Savannah is hosting Vision Zero drop-in sessions and interactive workshops for the public. 

Drop-in sessions: participants can stop in anytime during the session and stay for the amount of time they have available to review information, ask questions, and provide input. 

Interactive workshops: participants will be involved for the full length of the meeting, which will include presentations, Q&A, group discussion, and exercises to gather input on traffic safety needs and ideas.

Tuesday, August 8

Armstrong Center, Ballroom BC 
13040 Abercorn Street (Corner of Apache and Abercorn streets) 

  • Drop-in Session: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Interactive Workshop: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, August 9

Savannah Civic Center Ballroom
301 West Oglethorpe Avenue

  • Drop-in Session:  11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Interactive Workshop:  6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

To learn more about Vision Zero and review the current plan document, visit www.savannahga.gov/visionzero.

Vision Zero Plan Interactive Workshop

In August, the City of Savannah is hosting Vision Zero drop-in sessions and interactive workshops for the public.

The Savannah Vision Zero Action Plan, which was developed last year with an aim to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, acknowledges that many factors contribute to safe mobility and sets clear objectives to achieve the overall shared goal of zero traffic fatalities and severe injuries.

To learn more about Vision Zero and review the current plan document, visit www.savannahga.gov/visionzero.

Interactive workshops: participants will be involved for the full length of the meeting, which will include presentations, Q&A, group discussion, and exercises to gather input on traffic safety needs and ideas.

Vision Zero Plan Drop-In Session

In August, the City of Savannah is hosting Vision Zero drop-in sessions and interactive workshops for the public.

The Savannah Vision Zero Action Plan, which was developed last year with an aim to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, acknowledges that many factors contribute to safe mobility and sets clear objectives to achieve the overall shared goal of zero traffic fatalities and severe injuries.

To learn more about Vision Zero and review the current plan document, visit www.savannahga.gov/visionzero.

Drop-in sessions: participants can stop in anytime during the session and stay for the amount of time they have available to review information, ask questions, and provide input.

Vision Zero Plan Interactive Workshop

In August, the City of Savannah is hosting Vision Zero drop-in sessions and interactive workshops for the public.

The Savannah Vision Zero Action Plan, which was developed last year with an aim to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, acknowledges that many factors contribute to safe mobility and sets clear objectives to achieve the overall shared goal of zero traffic fatalities and severe injuries.

To learn more about Vision Zero and review the current plan document, visit www.savannahga.gov/visionzero.

Interactive workshops: participants will be involved for the full length of the meeting, which will include presentations, Q&A, group discussion, and exercises to gather input on traffic safety needs and ideas.

Vision Zero Drop-In Session

In August, the City of Savannah is hosting Vision Zero drop-in sessions and interactive workshops for the public.

The Savannah Vision Zero Action Plan, which was developed last year with an aim to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, acknowledges that many factors contribute to safe mobility and sets clear objectives to achieve the overall shared goal of zero traffic fatalities and severe injuries.

To learn more about Vision Zero and review the current plan document, visit www.savannahga.gov/visionzero.

Drop-in sessions: participants can stop in anytime during the session and stay for the amount of time they have available to review information, ask questions, and provide input.

City presents data-driven, community-led approach to Vision Zero traffic safety plan

Last week, City of Savannah staff presented the recently completed Vision Zero action plan to City Council. The public can view the plan by visiting www.savannahga.gov/visionzero. 

The overarching goal of Vision Zero is to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Savannah by creating safer streets for everyone on the road. City Council approved the Vision Zero resolution on Feb. 24, 2022 and directed staff to develop an action plan for the initiative within one year.

“Regardless of how you may travel in Savannah, whether by car or bike or on-foot, we want you to get to your destination safely,” said Mayor Van Johnson. “Vision Zero will guide the City’s efforts to design transportation networks that prioritize safety with a focus on the unique and ever-evolving needs of our community.”

The Vision Zero action plan emphasizes substantive community engagement and collaboration, as well as continuous collection and analysis of data, to identify safety concerns and opportunities for improvement. 

“I’m proud to say the Vision Zero action plan is a holistic, inclusive approach to traffic safety,” said Alderman Nick Palumbo. “This plan is a living document, designed to be as responsive to the diverse community it serves as it is aligned with the best practices in modern mobility management.”

As part of the plan, a Vision Zero Task Force will be created to bring together City staff, local officials, members of the community, and representatives from outside agencies to provide ongoing input on Vision Zero strategies, policies, and projects.

“I want to commend City staff, including our experts in traffic engineering and mobility planning, who have worked diligently in the last year to create an equitable and actionable plan for Vision Zero,” said City Manager Joseph A. “Jay” Melder. “We are excited as the City organization to take on a lead role in this effort. This action plan will help our community be a safer place for all forms of transit.”