For many, Halloween is an exciting time of year. Ghost stories, hayrides, and lots of sweet treats abound, and it’s easy (and fun!) to get caught up in all the festivities. But as the leaves change, don’t forget to stay safe as well! Driving on Halloween presents its own set of challenges, and drivers need to be extra cautious when they get behind the wheel. Here are our tips for driving safely on the spookiest night of the year.
Be Extra Careful Around Nightfall
On Halloween, many people love to stay out a little later than normal. If you choose to go out after dark, be sure to take extra safety precautions on the road. As the sun goes down and the moon comes up, make sure your headlights are on and your speed is appropriate. It’s always a good idea to slow down at night, since seeing objects, animals, or people on the road gets more difficult. Check out our additional tips for driving at night.
Don’t Drink and Drive
We hear it time and time again—don’t drink and drive, but it can’t be said often enough! Despite the dangers, too many people get behind the wheel intoxicated. Driving under the influence is incredibly dangerous for everyone involved—the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists. If you are out Trick or Treating or on the road make sure to be cautious of other drivers as well.
Stay Vigilant for Trick-or-Treaters
For every ghost and ghoul out on Halloween night, there’s a trick-or-treater on the hunt for candy. If you’re on the roads on October 31, be extra careful to look out for these children and adolescents. While most kids will be in residential areas, you can’t let your guard down on larger highways either. We suggest slowing down and taking additional precautions to look for pedestrians.
Don’t Get Distracted
Distractions are rife on Halloween, from spooky decorations to kids running amok. Do whatever you can to minimize distractions while driving. Turn off your phone, skip the drive-thru, and save snacks for when you get home. While checking Twitter or having a bite to eat while on the road may not seem like a big deal, it only takes a second for a quick social media scroll to turn into a major accident.
Steel Yourself Against Scares
Even if you do everything right, you can still end up in a car accident. In addition to reducing distractions, slowing down, and remaining vigilant, it’s important to practice defensive driving. This technique involves observing the drivers around you and following the rules of the road without getting aggressive. Defensive driving principles remind us not to blindly trust other drivers to follow the rules. Unfortunately, we can’t control how other motorists behave on the road, so it’s crucial to always be on the lookout for potential dangers.
Look to Us for More Driving Tricks
Safe driving is important all year, not just on the holidays. Luckily, Driver ED Safety provides a slew of resources to help your teen become a better driver. Through our Behind the Wheel program, participants learn road skills, defensive driving techniques, and the basic rules of the road. Visit our website today at www.driveredsafety.com for details on how to sign up for this educational program.
