Keeping kids in mind, next Thursday many will turn into princesses and superheroes as they walk door to door on Halloween.

More than 2,200 pedestrians are hurt or killed in collisions with vehicles in North Carolina each year, most happen in the evening or at night.

Before children begin trick-or-treating, parents are encouraged to:

• Plan and discuss a safe route;

• Walk on sidewalks – and if there’s not one, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic;

• Look both ways when crossing the street and use the crosswalk when available; and

• Make sure children have a flashlight, glow stick or are wearing reflective gear.

Drivers should be especially alert on Halloween. To find more information, go to NCDOT.gov.

Halloween 'Booze It & Lose It' Campaign

But nothing could be scarier than a drunk driver on Halloween. The Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s Halloween ‘Booze It and Lose It’ campaign runs from October 28 to November 3.

If you plan to drink on October 31,

• Plan a way to safely get home before the Halloween festivities begin;

• Always designate a sober driver;

• Know that walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving; and

• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call your local law enforcement.

For more information about NCDOT Now, contact the NCDOT Communications Office at 919-707-2660. Additional news stories from throughout the week can be found on NCDOT.gov.