Tips for Safe Halloween Driving

Halloween is meant to be a joyous season filled with fun, harmless horrors. Teens often enjoy their costume parties, and adults hand out treats from their houses. Trick or treat is in full swing on All Hallow’s Eve, with children making their rounds around the neighborhood for sweets and scares. Unfortunately though, driving during Halloween can be dangerous for this very reason. Stay safe this spooky season with these tips:

For Drivers

Drivers need to be extra careful during Halloween. Any negligence on their part can easily end lives.

Stay Alert

Driving safely during Halloween is all about staying alert at all times. Check your mirrors, use your headlights when needed, and keep your eyes open for small movements. This is especially important between 4 PM and 9 PM, which is when most trick or treaters are most active. Dusk also reduces visibility, making it extra tricky to see little ghouls running about.

Needless to say, if you’ve been out drinking, your alertness is definitely compromised, and you should avoid driving at all costs. If you’re a passenger during Halloween, try to stay alert for the driver as well. Call them out if they’re distracted, and keep an extra eye out for little ones they might miss.

Avoid Driving Fast

Backing out of driveways and driving down streets at a slower pace than usual can be a lifesaver during halloween. Children might be dodging between parked cars on the side of the road or dashing across a garage door without looking. Try to stay well below the speed limit in suburban areas, just to be safe.

Reduce Distractions

If your kids are sharing their candy with you in the car or if you have a haul yourself, make sure not to distract yourself by taking a bite out of a candy bar. Unwrapping it might seem harmless, but it will cause a drop in alertness.

In the same vein, if your Halloween costume has a mask, it can also distract you by blocking your line of sight, increasing your blind spot as a result. Remove your mask when driving to avoid any accidents.

Also, while the many costumes on the streets are surely enjoyable, avoid getting distracted by them while behind the wheel. One head turn can easily lead to disaster. This also applies to messages or social media posts on your phone.

For Pedestrians

It isn’t just drivers who need to stay alert. Pedestrians also need to practice caution and keep their eye out for anything unexpected.

Stick to Safe Walking Areas

A majority of Halloween pedestrian accidents happen away from intersections and crosswalks. Whenever possible, stick to sidewalks and crosswalks. Avoid areas that are too dimly lit, and try to bring a light for safety. If you’re a parent or guardian, keep a close eye on your little ones to make sure they do the same.

Have a Buddy System

Having a buddy system in place should help keep stragglers from wandering during trick or treating. If you’re looking after a particularly large group of children, make sure they all know whom they need to stick to should they lose sight of you. Try to stay in groups so it’s easier for drivers to see you all.

Pick Sensible Costumes

If you’re dealing with a particularly young or distractible child, it’s best to avoid dressing them in costumes that might limit their vision or be a tripping hazard. These costumes can easily lead to avoidable disasters. If you can, try to add reflective lights to costumes.

For Party Hosts

While the drivers are the ones responsible for what they do behind the wheel, if you have plans to host a Halloween party, you too might need to stay alert. If any of your underaged guests consume alcohol, you’ll be held legally responsible for their behavior even after they leave.

Manage Your Drink Options

We recommend offering some nonalcoholic drink options at your party to give any designated drivers an easier time.

Keep Drunk Guests Off the Road

Collect guests’ car keys if you notice them getting tipsy. Halloween drunk driving is the last thing you want. Only return their keys once they’ve sobered up. In addition, you need to be ready to call cabs, parents, or other guardians in case one of your drunk guests needs to get home. Don’t be surprised if you end up with an unexpected sleepover otherwise. Your priority is to keep any drunk guests off the road.

Why Is Halloween Dangerous for Pedestrians and Drivers?

It’s a tragic fact that twice as many children get hit by vehicles on Halloween than on any other day. There are a great many of them out and about in very low light, after all. In addition, the numerous Halloween parties can lead to an increase in intoxicated driving on All Hallow’s Eve. These two factors combined are a tragedy waiting to happen. But it can be avoided. We hope these Halloween driving and walking safety tips can help you stay safe this spooky season.