Highway Safety
Media Alert
Press Release
Halloween Pedestrian Safety Event
Walking Kids to School – One Huge Sign at a Time
On Halloween, special signs will help escort students across a high-traffic intersection
WHAT: It’s Halloween, and that means kids will be out trick-or-treating, increasing the risk they could be injured by a motor vehicle. To help remind drivers to be extra vigilant for pedestrians, the Utah Department of Public Safety will bring interactive pedestrian safety messages to the intersection of 1700 South and 700 East in Salt Lake City.
Children crossing the street on their way to Hawthorne Elementary will be accompanied by sign spinner style signs with messages for drivers.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 31, 2017
7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. with highest student traffic anticipated 7:50-8:10
WHERE: 1700 South 700 East, Salt Lake City
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
- Marques Varela – Pedestrian Program Manager for the Utah Department of Public Safety
VISUALS:
- Children (many in costume) crossing a busy intersection with large sign spinner style arrows and signs to alert cars they are there.
WHY: So far this year, 33 pedestrians have been killed on Utah’s roads. October and December have typically been the deadliest months for pedestrians in Utah. As we head into the winter months, there will be less daylight, meaning the danger to pedestrians increases, since they become more difficult for drivers to see. DPS wants to raise awareness about pedestrian safety on Halloween and into the winter months, when pedestrian fatalities have historically increased.
The Utah Department of Public Safety partners with the Utah Department of Transportation and Zero Fatalities Program for the Heads Up pedestrian safety campaign. It is an educational campaign that encourages drivers to be alert and pedestrians to be seen. If pedestrians and drivers can share the road, we can reach our goal of Zero Fatalities.
Media Contact:
Sgt. Todd Royce, UHP PIO
801.556.8261
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