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Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers and Trick-Or-Treaters

  • Cars Explained
  • Xavier Sabastian
  • 5 minutes

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Halloween is quickly approaching, and there are a few things to think about before October 31. From picking the most talked about costumes to advising your kids on the importance of safety, Halloween requires preparations. There are a lot of guides available to teach kids how to stay safe during Halloween. However, because pedestrian-vehicle incidents are four times more common on Halloween, some Halloween safety tips for adults are necessary. We have a responsibility as drivers to obey road safety guidelines and assist in keeping youngsters safe on Halloween.

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Importance of safety on Halloween nights

Children and adults alike enjoy Halloween. Adults dress up for costume parties, while children dress up for trick-or-treating. October 31 might be a night of comical ghosts and humorous ghouls, but it has also been known to turn tragic far too often. Adults driving under the influence of alcohol and children wandering down the street are a hazardous mix. Children are more likely to be killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year. 

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Some alarming numbers emerged from research on October 31 mortality for children under the age of 18 from 2010 to 2022:

  • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 57 children under 18 were killed in car accidents on October 31 from 2010 to 2022.
  • The highest number of fatalities occurred in 2017, with 71 children killed.
  • The lowest number of fatalities occurred in 2015, with 47 children killed.

The ‘fright night’ aspect is entertaining in either case, but there are some legitimate safety risks that individuals of all ages should be aware of. Both drivers and pedestrians are at risk of car accidents and injury. On Halloween, they’re especially common, with many children crossing roadways in the dark. 

We at Way.com want Halloween to be a memorable and safe night for everyone. For a safe Halloween, we’ve prepared some safety recommendations for pedestrians and vehicles.

Remember, it’s a car, not a flying broomstick

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Haunted houses and horror movie figures typically come to mind when people think about Halloween’s traditional fears. If you have little children in your family, you may have more realistic fears about the poisoned Halloween sweets each year.  Unfortunately, the most typical threats during Halloween and the days leading up to and following the festival are frequently disregarded.

Speed thrills but kills

Drive below the speed limit in a residential neighborhood, especially during peak trick-or-treating hours. The faster you drive, the less time you have to respond. Slowing down will take away those precious seconds and reduce your stopping distance if quick braking is required.

Designate a driver

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If you are driving, don’t drink. If you are drinking, don’t drive. It is never a good idea to drink and drive. Sounds simple right? Let’s keep it extra simple by designating a driver. If you can’t find a driver hail a cab or book a ride.

Eyes on the road

Keeping your eyes on the road is one of the golden rules of driving. Texting can and SHOULD wait. Texting and driving will slow down your reaction time and will lead to catastrophic results. 

Turn on your headlights

Even in daylight, make your car more visible by ensuring that your lights are turned on. Having your lights turned on will also assist you in spotting children dressed in dark colors, which are difficult to see in the dark.

Priority to pedestrians

Priority should be to pedestrians. On a Halloween night, children would be extremely thrilled and will dart across the road. Be cautious at crosswalks and in congested areas.

Take safety measures in your car

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Passengers must be protected. Make sure everyone in your car is buckled. Infants and young children should ride in car seats or booster seats that are appropriate for their age.

Follow these tips to avoid Halloween horror

The most deadly night of the year for pedestrian injuries from vehicles is on Halloween night. It’s also one of the most deadly evenings of the year in terms of drunk driving fatalities.

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On October 31, you can help keep the streets safe by following these Halloween driving safety recommendations.

Have an adult accompany the kids

Don’t go trick-or-treating by yourself, kids. Children should travel in groups, and an adult should accompany those under the age of 12.

Stay on the sidewalk

Stay on the sidewalks, look both ways before crossing the street, and avoid crossing in front of moving vehicles. Don’t presume the pedestrian has the right of way; walk, don’t run.

Avoid anything with fire

On Halloween night, there are a lot of open flames. Luminaries and jack-o-lanterns are examples of candle-based decorations. Children must be prepared to recognize and avoid these dangers. Teach kids how to spot a flame and what to do if they accidentally knock it over. Make sure all of your costumes, wigs, and accessories are flame-resistant. Consider placing a flashlight or LED flameless candles in your pumpkin instead of utilizing standard candles with exposed flames.

Show yourself

Before it gets too dark, try to trick-or-treat. Choose light, bright colors for your outfits, or add reflective tape. Bring a flashlight with you.

What to remember this Halloween

Road safety is crucial all year, but it is especially important on Halloween when conditions can be significantly more deadly. Taking these extra steps can assist in ensuring that everyone has a safe Halloween.

Check out our blogs for info on finding top-rated airport parking, the best parking spots in your city, the most affordable insurance for your car, and affordable car washes near you.


 

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