Portland Bureau of Transportation Director Leah Treat, in costume, will hand out flashy safety lights and reflectors to children and parents on Halloween and remind the public to recommit to traffic safety as Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend and days grow shorter.

Treat will appear at Vernon K-8 School with Principal Tina Acker and Portland Police Captain Kelli Sheffer as school is dismissed on Halloween afternoon.

The lights and reflectors that Treat and other officials will hand out are easy ways to help keep children safe as they trick or treat. Treat also will remind the public to refocus on being visible and to watch out for other travelers on Halloween, as clocks turn back this weekend and evening commuters prepare to travel in the dark beginning next week.

Who:   Leah Treat, Portland Bureau of Transportation Director, in costume
Tina Acker, Vernon K-8 School Principal
Kelli Sheffer, Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division Captain

When:  2:45 p.m. October 31, 2013

Where: Vernon K-8 School
             2044 N.E. Killingsworth Street

Why: On Halloween and as days grow shorter, the Transportation Bureau is advising the public:

• When you drive:  stop and stay stopped for pedestrians as they cross the street -  slow down and continually      scan your environment for people on foot, bicycles and wheelchairs.  When driving, leave enough space between      you and the vehicle ahead so you have time to react and stop when needed.
• When you walk: look before crossing – cross one lane at a time making sure drivers      see and stop for you before you fully enter a crossing. Consider wearing      lighter clothing and using lights to be “be seen and be safe,” in the      words of TriMet’s safety campaign.
• When you bicycle:  use both headlights and taillights from dusk through dawn and just as when you’re driving, stop and stay stopped for      pedestrians seeking to cross the street.

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