Transportation Cabinet
Cartoon Heros, Winsome Witches and Precious Princesses all need BOOOOOster Seats too!

FRANKFORT, Ky. (October 23, 2006) – Trick or treating time is just around the corner, and the Department of Transportation Safety reminds parents to make sure all little ghosts and goblins are riding in a properly installed car seat or booster seat to make this a safe and happy Halloween.

Kentucky law requires that all children less than 40 inches in height be properly secured in a child restraint system.

“Halloween is an especially exciting time for kids, so let’s all do our part and make this Halloween a safe and fun time for everyone,“ said Tim Hazlette, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Transportation Safety. “Don’t Drink and Drive and always remember to Buckle Up and Drive Smart Kentucky!”

Young children who are not restrained in a booster seat are more likely to be injured, suffer more severe injuries and die in motor vehicle crashes than children using booster seats.

Don't let this Halloween turn into a nightmare! Here are some things you can do as a driver to insure your safety and the safety of our children.

-Reduce your speed and make sure your windshields, headlights and mirrors are clean
-Stop for pedestrians – Kentucky law requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and intersections
-Watch for children on the street and on medians
-Have children get out of vehicles on the curb side, not on the traffic side
-Motorists should exercise extra caution during peak trick-or-treating hours between 5 and 9 P.M.
-Slow down and obey the speed limit and all traffic signs/signals, be especially careful in residential areas
-Watch for children crossing the street between parked cars
-Remember, costumes can restrict/limit a child’s vision – this makes them even more likely to dart out into the street unaware of an oncoming car or truck
-When driving children to trick-or-treat or to a costume party, make sure all seat belts are fastened and that children are properly restrained in car seats/booster seats
-Remember, if you plan to drink, choose a sober driver before going out

The Kentucky Department of Transportation Safety also encourages parents and guardians to consider reflective clothing/apparel for your children, or that some type of attachable reflective decal or reflective tape be placed on your child’s costume, sweatshirt, or jacket to make them more visible to motorists.

The Kentucky Department of Transportation Safety, within the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, has been charged by Governor Fletcher to lead the commonwealth’s coordination, communication and cooperation efforts among public and private safety partners to reduce preventable tragedies on Kentucky’s roadways.

The department is responsible for reviewing highway safety data, identifying major causes for fatalities and injuries, and developing the necessary safety measures to educate and protect citizens. In addition, the department provides critical highway condition and weather information on a 24-hour, 7-day basis.

For more information about the Department of Transportation Safety and its safety partners, please visit http://highwaysafety.ky.gov. The department encourages you to Buckle Up Kentucky and Drive Smart!

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