ODOT: Pedestrians hit doubles around Halloween

YOUNGSTOWN

A five-year safety study by the Ohio Department of Transportation in Columbus released Tuesday shows the number of car crashes involving pedestrians routinely doubles in the days leading up to Halloween.

The report analyzed crash data for the last seven days of October, when trick-or-treat hours are usually scheduled.

According to the report, the percentage of pedestrian-vehicle crashes nearly doubles between 6 and 7 p.m., from 7 percent to almost 14 percent.

ODOT said the increase because of shortened daylight hours and the high number of children walking, often crossing the road in between intersections or crosswalks.

The department has distributed more than 12,000 reflective trick-or-treat bags to Ohio elementary school students.