By Sgt. Carey Huls, Public Information Officer, Indiana State Police Sellersburg District
Halloween, pumpkin spice, football...Fall is upon us. But costume parties and football rivalries are not the only things for which we need to prepare. Falling leaves and colder temperatures are making their appearance as well. With these changes come driving hazards more unique to autumn than other times of the year.
According to the Institute of Highway Safety, autumn typically brings a sharp increase in the amount of car versus animal insurance claims, most of those being deer. These claims usually peak in the month of November and decrease through December and January. Wet leaves, colder temperatures, and an increase in rainfall also add to the mix.
Your friends at the Indiana State Police Post in Sellersburg would like to remind you of these tips as you navigate our changing roadways:
- WET LEAVES: Wet leaves can be as slippery as an ice-covered roadway. Drive slowly on leaf-covered roads and avoid hard braking. Also, don't forget that leaves can obscure lane and roadway markings, so make sure to pay attention to the edge of the roadway and stay in your lane.
- RAIN AND FOG: Wet roads are slippery and may lead to hydroplaning. Increase your following distance, and don't use cruise control. If it's foggy, use your low beams or fog lights and avoid using high beams.
- BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES: Any roadway not in direct contact with the ground can freeze quickly. Morning frost can leave icy patches, and shaded areas may remain icy after other parts of the roadway are dry.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are approximately 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions each year. According to insurance industry statistics, Indiana usually ranks in the middle of all 50 states and was 24th in 2021 in car versus animal crashes. In 2021, the odds for a car/animal crash were 1 in 100. West Virginia typically tops the charts with the odds at 1 in 37.
When it comes to our four-legged friends:
- BUCKLE UP! Sudden stops from a collision or even hard braking are common causes of injury. Your seatbelt is the best protection to help prevent you or your passengers from being harmed.
- WATCH FOR SIGNS. Deer crossing signs are there for a reason. Use caution when you see these signs and remember that deer often travel in groups. If you see one, assume more are nearby. Don't forget to recruit your passengers to assist in looking for deer.
- WHAT TIME IS IT? Deer are active at dawn and dusk as they look for food. This time of year is also their migration and mating season, which is another reason they are more active.
- DON'T SWERVE. If a crash is unavoidable, don't swerve to avoid hitting the deer. Not only could you swerve into the path of another car, but you could also lose control of your vehicle and possibly roll over. Brake firmly and stay in your lane. Studies show more serious crashes happen when we swerve to avoid an animal.
- I STRUCK A DEER, NOW WHAT? Unfortunately, even if you take all the above precautions, sometimes car/deer crashes are unavoidable. If you do have a collision, remember to move your car off the roadway and call 911 or your nearest police agency. Typically, comprehensive insurance coverage will cover these crashes, so make sure you contact your insurance agent and, if possible, take photographs of your car and the animal.
The Salem Moose Lodge is hosting a Trunk-or-Treat on Thursday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.
The lodge is located at 1004 Webb Street, Salem.
The public is invited.
Washington County Special Olympics is hosting it's Third Annual Spooktacular" on Monday, Oct. 27, 2-5 p.m. at Lyles Park, 5581 East Old State Road 56, Salem.
The public is invited for an unforgettable evening filled with fun, food and festive vibes!
A costume party will be featured--dressing up is encouraged, but not required. A prize will be awarded for the Best Costume.
Pizza and drinks will be provided. Those attending are asked to bring a dessert or sweet treat.
There is a lineup of games, karaoke and other fun activities that will keep everyone entertained.
Don't miss this exciting event and an opportunity to see all of your Special Olympics friends and show off your Halloween spirit.
It is essential to prioritize safety on Halloween, and following these guidelines can help.
Halloween is enjoyed by people of all ages, but few get a bigger kick out of the holiday than children. There are costumes to be worn, time spent with friends and the opportunity to collect free candy and other treats.
Although Halloween can be a fun time, the Children's Safety Network warns that it's also a time when accidents can happen. According to the CSN, the most dangerous day for child pedestrians is Halloween, with two times as many child pedestrians dying on Halloween compared to other days. It is essential to prioritize safety on Halloween, and following these guidelines can help.
· Make sure costumes are short. Costumes that drag on the floor are tripping hazards, which can lead to injury. Be sure that costumes do not cover the feet or drag on the ground.
· Trick-or-treat in groups. Children are safer in numbers due to the increased visibility of a crowd and because, if something happens, others can call for help. Parents can use their discretion on what age they feel is mature enough to let children go out alone. Until then, children should be accompanied by adults.
· Improve visibility. It's important to be seen while trick-or-treating, and that can be achieved by making sure costumes and trick-or-treat bags feature reflective tape. Trick-or-treaters also can carry flashlights or glow sticks to improve visibility, and stick to areas with streetlights if going out after dark.
· Stay on sidewalks. Whenever possible, trick-or-treaters should stick to the sidewalks and avoid walking on the roads. This may not always be possible in neighborhoods without sidewalks, where parents and youngsters must be especially careful.
· Eat before trick-or-treating. A meal or snack before trick-or-treating can reduce the tendency to fill up on candy while out and about. All candy and other treats should be inspected by an adult before it is eaten.
· Keep pets locked away. Animals can become skittish when there are many people loitering outside of homes or ringing doorbells. Keep pets in a quiet room away from the action to prevent them from getting loose, injured or scared enough to bite or scratch someone.
· Avoid masks that obstruct vision. It can be hard to see peripherally with a mask on, so avoid costumes with masks that compromise vision.
· Test out makeup beforehand. All makeup used for costumes should be tested for allergic reactions prior to use. Heed the warnings on packaging and avoid putting makeup too close to the eyes or lips.
These are some safety strategies designed to keep Halloween fun and incident-free this year.
Voters can consider these tips to prepare for Election Day so they can exercise their right to vote as efficiently as possible.
The right to vote is one of the foundations of democracy. Exercising that right is vital to creating a nation where everyone feels as though their voice has been heard.
Given the significance of voting and all that the right to vote symbolizes for so many people, Election Day is an incredibly important day on the American calendar. In recognition of that significance, voters can consider these tips to prepare for Election Day so they can exercise their right to vote as efficiently as possible.
· Make sure you're registered to vote. With the exception of North Dakota, each state has its own voter registration deadlines, and voters must register prior to those deadlines in order to vote on Election Day. Voters can visit the US Vote Foundation at usvotefoundation.org to view the election dates and deadlines in their states and U.S. territories. Voters who know they are not registered can visit Vote.gov to begin the registration process.
· Find your polling place. Voters cannot simply vote at any polling place. Each voter is assigned a polling place, and that place is generally within close proximity to a voter's home. Local schools or churches often serve as polling locations, but the official guide to government information and services USA.gov urges voters to contact their state or territorial election office in advance of Election Day to determine their designated polling place. Voters who received sample ballots in the mail also can check those ballots to see if their polling place is listed.
· Know the ID requirements. Voter ID requirements vary from state to state, so voters are urged to determine what is required to vote at their local polling place. The National Conference of State Legislatures has a detailed, state-by-state list of voter identification requirements that can be accessed for free at ncsl.org. Voters who are uncertain about the ID requirements at their local polling place are urged to visit the site in advance of Election Day so they know what to expect and can meet all ID requirements when they show up to vote.
· Study your sample ballot. Sample ballots can help voters familiarize themselves with candidates in local and national elections. Studying these ballots in advance and learning what each candidate stands for can help voters make the most informed voting decision.
Individuals who still have questions about what to expect on Election Day can visit USA.gov/election-day to speak with a live USA.gov agent.
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