From Monday Oct. 29 to Friday Nov. 2, City of Redmond Mayor John Marchione will treat Redmond kids to special pedestrian safety flashers for Halloween.

"This is an effort to emphasize the importance of pedestrian visibility in darker hours," he said. "The flashers are also a reminder that when we turn the clocks back for the end of daylight savings time on Sunday Nov. 4, pedestrians are more likely to be walking when it's dark and should take extra care to be seen in traffic."

Safety flashers will be available through Halloween week, while they last, in the lobby of City Hall (15670 N.E. 85 St.) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To do their part, drivers are reminded to:

• Stay alert. There is an increase in pedestrian traffic on neighborhood streets on Halloween. According to the Center for Disease Control, kids are four times more likely to be struck by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
• Not allow themselves to be distracted. Stay off the phone. Keep their mind on their driving.• Carefully enter and exit driveways.
• Drive below the speed limit in residential areas, especially where cars are parked along the side of the street. This will enable drivers to brake more quickly if a child suddenly darts in front of their car.
• Be patient. Give kids plenty of time to cross the street.
• Don't pass another car stopped in the roadway. The driver could be waiting for pedestrians to cross.
• Remember that kids are caught up in the excitement of the night and may forget to stop, look and listen before stepping into the street.

For more information on pedestrian safety, visit the city's website at www.redmond.gov/Transportation/GettingAroundRedmond/Walking.

 

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.