After 11-year-old’s death, Triangle towns adjust safety plans for holiday parades

Aaron Sánchez-Guerra

Organizers of upcoming holiday parades in the Triangle are doubling down on safety measures after the annual Raleigh Christmas Parade on Nov. 19 ended abruptly in tragedy.

For some organizers, they’re adjusting their guidelines for drivers and vehicles, including ensuring vehicles are inspected. They’re also distancing parade walkers from vehicles.

The changes come after an 11-year-old girl dancing in the Raleigh parade was fatally struck soon after the parade began by a GMC pickup truck carrying one of the dance troupe’s floats.

The driver reportedly lost control of the truck, which hit the child while at a low speed. A group of people stopped the vehicle from advancing farther on Hillsborough Street, The News & Observer reported.

Raleigh police charged driver Landen Christopher Glass, 20, of Goode, Virginia, with five offenses, including misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and carrying a firearm in a parade. The arrest warrant for Glass faults him for “inadequate” brakes that prevented him from stopping, The N&O reported.

As holiday parades ramp up, here’s what several municipalities and organizers said they are doing in light of Saturday’s incident.

What we know about the Raleigh Christmas Parade float accident that left 1 dead

Durham

Durham’s annual Holiday Parade will take place at 10 a.m. Dec. 17, in downtown Durham.

▪ The city already requires floats to be pulled only by city of Durham vehicles and operated by qualified and licensed city staff, said Mary Unterreiner, culture and community manager.

▪ This year, city vehicles in the parade will be inspected within a week of the event, including all of those pulling floats, Unterreiner confirmed. City vehicles must undergo regular N.C. State Emissions and Safety Inspections.

▪ Walking groups will not be placed directly in front of floats in the parade procession. Participating drivers in private vehicles at the parade must be licensed and insured and must attend a safety meeting beforehand, along with all other volunteers and participants.

▪ The parade is also adhering to state law restricting firearms at parades.

Cary

The town of Cary is working with the Jaycees, the parade organizers, to establish new safety measures for the Dec. 10 Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade.

▪ The police and fire departments will inspect brakes of cars and trailers before the parade and go over safety protocols with drivers.

▪ Drivers must bring their latest inspection report, town spokeswoman Carolyn Roman said Tuesday.

▪ Candy may no longer be thrown to spectators to keep them from running into the street. Parade walkers must walk along the sidewalk to hand out candy.

▪ No more than 16 people will be allowed on any float, and no more than 12 on a professional float.

Garner

Garner’s Dec. 3 parade is being organized by the Garner Christmas Parade Committee, which is independent from the town. Organizer Demian Dellinger said safety measures are still being drafted and include:

▪ Participating drivers must be over 30 years old and have a valid driver’s license.

▪Vehicles must have current registration, and registered vehicles over 30 years old cannot pull floats or trailers.

▪Drivers will be given instructions on what to do if they lose control of their vehicle and how to slow it and bring it to a stop, as well as what to do if it becomes disabled during the parade. Drivers will review the instructions one-on-one with organizers.

▪Buffering distances between vehicles and walkers will be increased as they enter the parade route, and drivers will be instructed to maintain the buffers.

▪Organizers will be staging all floats and vehicles before participants arrive in the staging area to reduce vehicular traffic during staging.

Knightdale

The Town of Knightdale announced Tuesday upcoming changes for its Dec. 10 parade.

▪ Vehicles that pull floats must have current registration with drivers having a valid operator’s license and registration.

▪ Groups of walkers will be placed in such a way that they’re shielded from floats or vehicles.

▪ Candy can’t be thrown from floats or vehicles. Candy can be passed out by those walking on the street accompanying the floats.

▪ Extra staff will be added to monitor parts of the route to prevent spectators from crossing into parade space.

Johnston County

The Town of Selma announced an updated set of safety measures for its upcoming parade on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.

▪ Parade walkers will be followed by a large vehicle serving as a buffer, such as a fire engine or town utility vehicle driven by trained operators.

▪ All vehicles in the parade will have their registrations verified.

▪ Drivers of vehicles such as tractors, golf carts and specialty vehicles must sign a letter accepting full responsibility for the safety of their vehicle prior to participating.

▪ Parade entrants who plan to toss candy will be required to have a person walking beside their float or vehicle handing out candy to prevent spectators from running onto the street. Walkers can only hand out candy to spectators.

The town of Clayton said it will be reviewing safety standards for the upcoming Christmas parade, but a town spokesman said that the specific details would be determined closer to the date. Their annual event will be held in downtown Clayton on Dec. 10 at 3 p.m.

Youngsville

Officials with the town of Youngsville, which say it has the longest-running Christmas parade in the state, told The N&O that there will be “about 10 times” as many public safety officials present than usual for the Dec. 3 parade.

As part of existing rules, Youngsville Town Clerk Emily Hurd, who is a 17-year veteran of the parade, only assigns drivers personally known to her. They must have driven in the parade in the past to participate.

Parade walkers are placed in front of and behind vehicles.

“Those drivers are made aware of the safety concerns and are asked to also be aware of out-of-control vehicles,” said town administrator Nathan Page.

Youngsville town staff checks that participating vehicles have passed an annual state inspection and have a valid registration.

Farm and antique vehicles in the parade aren’t permitted without another vehicle to act as a block in case of mechanical failure, Page said.

Youngsville enforces North Carolina General Statute 14-277.2 that outlaws weapons at parades.

Triangle holiday parades

Here’s a list of upcoming parades celebrating the holiday season.

This story will be updated as other municipalities respond to The N&O’s request for comment.

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