Halloween is approaching fast, and that night of costumes on parade and sweet treats should be a safe and fun one for everyone. For drivers out on the road on Halloween, it’s important to be extra cautious and ensure every trick-or-treater gets home safely. InsuranceHotline.com offer simple safety tips that can mean a safe Halloween for everyone.
Before heading out on the road on Halloween night, drivers should prepare themselves to be extra cautious on the road. With kids out seeking to fill their bags with candy, safe and careful driving is especially important on Halloween night. Make sure everyone has a Happy Halloween with a few driving tips.
Slow Down in Residential Areas
Although it’s a good idea to drive a little more slowly in general on Halloween, residential areas are where the majority of kids will be found seeking their Halloween treats. Every driver should be moving slowly and cautiously in residential areas, and even more so on this night.
Kids may make sudden movements and dart into the street. With excitement high, kids are more likely to put caution aside and run around. Even kids with their parents along can make unexpected moves. The slower a car is going, the less time it will take to react and bring the car to a stop if a child moves in front of it. Keep the speed down to make it easier to respond to the movements of kids on the street.
Don’t Drink and Drive
Adults love Halloween too, and if you are invited to a grown-up Halloween party, be sure to arrange for a designated driver or another safe way to get home if you plan to drink. Drinking and driving is always a dangerous proposition; but on a night when children are out in the streets, the chance of striking and injuring one is even higher.
Party hosts should be sure to be responsible about serving liquor and see that guests departing their home are getting behind the wheel sober. Remember that a host who allows a guest to drive drunk can be held responsible for anything that might happen. Offer the couch for sleeping on or call a cab for any guest who is intoxicated.
Be Aware of Reduced Visibility
Many kids hit the streets right around twilight on Halloween. That happens to be one of the most difficult parts of the day for visibility. Keep in mind that it’s harder to see what’s going on in the street when the setting sun can be blinding and the oncoming dark reduces visibility.
It’s also important to bear in mind that while kids should be wearing something that helps keep them visible, some costumes may make them harder to see. Parents should see to it that children can be easily spotted in the dark, but drivers bear the ultimate responsibility for being aware of what is around them and making sure pedestrians are safe. Watch for things like flashlights, reflective tape, and even for those kids who aren’t being cautious and are the hardest to see.
