MAYOR LEE OFFERS SAFETY TIPS TO PROTECT TRICK-OR-TREATING FAMILIES THIS HALLOWEEN IN SAN FRANCISCO

“MAYOR LEE OFFERS SAFETY TIPS TO PROTECT TRICK-OR-TREATING FAMILIES THIS HALLOWEEN IN SAN FRANCISCO”

Mayor Reminds Drivers to Use Extra Caution to Help Keep Children Safe; Additional Parking Control Officers, Crossing Guards & Police Officers Will Be on Duty during Halloween Weekend

San Francisco, CA—Today Mayor Edwin M. Lee joined the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) to remind everyone this Halloween weekend to take extra caution while traveling on City streets to help ensure safety for families who are trick-or-treating and moving around San Francisco neighborhoods.

“I want everyone in San Francisco to have a fun and safe Halloween, and that means remembering that we all have a responsibility to look out for each other, drive more slowly and be cautious when crossing streets,” said Mayor Lee. “Drivers need to slow down and look out for bicyclists, pedestrians and our trick or treaters on our shared City streets and sidewalks this weekend.”

The City will provide extra parking control officers and crossing guards to support Halloween pedestrian safety, and the Police Department will deploy extra officers to patrol the streets for public safety.

“As we work to make our streets safer and more inviting for trick-or-treaters of all ages, everyone can take extra care this Halloween to help us achieve Vision Zero – our goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries,” said SFMTA Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin. “San Francisco is one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the country to celebrate Halloween, and every child, ghoul, and goblin should be able to roam our neighborhood streets safely. Drivers need to be especially aware of traveling at safe and appropriate speeds — particularly when it’s dark.”

“Halloween is all about children and fun,” said Police Chief Greg Suhr. “Let’s all commit to watching out for the little, and some not so little, kids that will be out and about trick or treating this year. Only by slowing down and paying attention as we drive about the City can we keep our children, who are having so much fun dressed as ‘this or that’, safe.”

As the sun sets earlier during the Fall, the risk of traffic injuries increases. Following these safety reminders can improve safety for everyone:

Drivers:

If you must drive, go slowly. Be alert and watch for children who may be lower and slower than adults. Consider walking, biking or taking public transit to your destination. Get to where you’re going without worrying about drinking and driving, and other dangerous conditions.

Parents and Guardians:

Join your children trick or treating.

Carry a flashlight or light sticks or wear reflective gear to increase your visibility to motorists.

Remind children to cross at intersections or marked cross walks. Walk, don’t run, and look all ways before crossing.

Wear costumes that are light in color to increase visibility. Masks should not obstruct your child’s vision.

As always: Inspect all candy and treats before you allow children to consume them. If any treats look as though the packaging has been opened or tampered with, throw them away.

In 2014, the City and County of San Francisco adopted Vision Zero as a policy, committing to ending traffic fatalities and severe injuries by 2024 by building safer streets, educating the public on traffic safety, enforcing traffic laws, and adopting policy changes that save lives. The various programs and initiatives lead by SFMTA to improve safety for children include lower speed limits around schools, more crossing guards, and traffic calming improvements.

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Francis Tsang | Chief Deputy Communications Director
Office of Mayor Edwin M. Lee
415.554.6467 | francis.tsang@sfgov.org