Tips for Safe Halloween Driving

Halloween is coming up next Monday. This is the most anticipated night of the year for many young children and adults who love to put together great costumes for Halloween parties and go trick or treating. I know when my daughters were growing up this was absolutely their favorite night of the year. (and I have to say seeing the happiness, smiles and excitement on my children’s faces was also a great joy for me.)

This is also the one night of the year when you really need to be extra careful driving when entering or exiting driveways and streets. Driving slow on Halloween is a must. Children get so excited with the thought of more candy by getting to the next house faster. They will run out in front of your car. So on this one night drive like a snail and everyone will be safer.

• Windshield Wipers and Fluid - A dirty windshield cuts down on your visibility to see the children and other vehicles. If the weather turns rainy as it often does on Halloween cracked or torn wipers will also pose a problem to visibility.

• Vehicle Lights - Check that all your lights are working for maximum performance and visibility on Halloween. This year the end of Daylight Saving Time isn’t till Nov 6 th which means that children will be out at dusk trick or treating. Driving at dusk is difficult because although the sky is bright, objects on the road can blend in with the shadows and fade into darkness. When I am driving at dusk this time of year I have to drive slower because everything seems to blend together and the details of what I’m seeing are hard to distinguish .

• Street Safety - Parents and adults need to remind their little ghosts and goblins to stay out of the way of cars and walk up on the sidewalk or curb on the opposite side of the street facing traffic if possible. All children should wear bright, reflective clothing. Larger groups of kids are easier for drivers to see so encourage your children to stick together. Flashlights are a great idea for every child to carry.

We hope you all have a very fun and safe Halloween.