Beech Tree News Network

A reminder to slow down and keep Kentucky’s kids safe this Halloween

Halloween is a great community tradition across Kentucky. Families walk together, neighbors visit, and local streets stay busy well into the evening. With that activity comes a need for extra caution, especially for drivers.

Nationwide, Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for pedestrians, particularly children. It only takes a moment of inattention for a fun night to turn tragic.

Safety Reminders

For families:

• Plan your route ahead of time and stay in well-lit areas.

• Make sure costumes fit properly and allow clear vision. Add reflective material or carry a light for visibility.

• Remind children never to enter a stranger’s home or vehicle.

• Check all items before children eat them.

For drivers:

• Slowdown in neighborhoods and stay alert for children crossing the road or stepping between parked cars.

• Eliminate distractions and avoid driving under the influence.

• Be especially careful at dusk and after dark.

Road Safety Year-Round

This fall, Kentucky began implementing House Bill 664, known as the Jared Lee Helton Act of 2025. The law allows for automated speed enforcement in active highway work zones when workers are present and a marked police vehicle is nearby. Cameras detect speeding, but citations are issued in person by an officer.

The goal is prevention, not punishment. In 2024, Kentucky saw more than 1,200 work zone crashes, nearly 300 injuries, and seven deaths, most of them being drivers or passengers. Slowing down protects everyone on the road.

As you celebrate Halloween and travel this fall, take time to look out for one another. Safe, alert driving and a little awareness go a long way toward keeping our families and communities safe.

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Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, represents the 5th Senate District, which includes Breckinridge, Butler, Grayson, Ohio, and Meade Counties. He serves as co-chair of the Interim Joint Committee on Health Services and serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Education; Families and Children; and Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations. He was recently appointed to the Medical Oversight and Advisory Board for the Interim. Additionally, he is a member of the Government Contract Review Committee. In 2024, he served on the Artificial Intelligence Task Force.