Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers
October 31st is a day of tricks and treats but our Halloween safety tips will help keep the whole evening sweet!
According to an article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vehicle incidents resulting in fatal and serious injuries are 34% more likely to occur on Halloween than any other day of the year. The combination of heavier pedestrian foot traffic, particularly of excited kids; the dark; increased distractions like decorated houses; and parties that may lead to drunk driving all account for this scary statistic.
By practising vigilance, following road safety guidelines and planning ahead, you’ll be able to keep you and your trick or treaters safe this Halloween season.
Drive slowly, especially in residential areas
Though driving at the speed limit is generally a good rule of thumb, driving below the speed limit in residential areas will help keep yourself and trick or treaters safe. If you’re in a built up area, even if you don’t see any pedestrians, it’s best to continue to drive slower than normal this Halloween.
Be vigilant
Again, even if you don’t see any trick or treater groups, it’s important to stay alert and vigilant. Practise even more caution at crossings and junctions.
Be prepared to make emergency stops
By practising vigilance and driving slowly, you are more capable of making emergency stops should a child dart into the road. Though the pedestrians may not have the right of way in certain areas, some children may not be paying attention or know the rules of the road, caught up in the excitement of the day. Pay special attention when driving near parked cars as kids may be standing near them and unexpectedly walk into the street.
Make sure your headlights are on
Ensuring your headlights are on, even if it’s only starting to get dark, will help you be more visible to trick or treaters and give you optimal vision to see what’s going on. Discover more of our tips for driving in the dark in this blog post. These tips may seem like common sense, but remembering them can mean the difference between life and death.
Reduce distractions in the car
If you enjoy listening to loud music in the car, consider turning it way down, at least just for Halloween night. Keeping volume low or even off can help you hear groups of kids in the area. It will also allow you to focus on what’s going on around the car. If you need to take or make a phone call, pull over so you’re not driving with distractions. Consider turning off the Bluetooth to reduce the temptation. Finally, as spooktacular as some of the decorated houses may be, paying more attention to decor than the trick or treaters around you could lead to distracted driving and serious injuries.
Caution when overtaking cars
Though cars may look like they’re parked and empty, it’s important not to overtake them quickly. Some of the seemingly parked vehicles may be parents dropping off or picking up their children. Again, practise cautious driving in residential areas on Halloween.
Choose a designated driver or book a taxi
Even if you’re only planning on having one drink this Halloween, it is important that you choose a completely sober designated driver or book a taxi in advance. Even a little alcohol can impair your decision making and reactivity, and with additional factors like driving in the dark and excited little pedestrians, every second counts.
Keep an eye out for drunk drivers
Though it is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, party-goers are more likely to do so on evenings like Halloween. As said before, even a small amount of alcohol can impair reactivity. If you see a driver that seems like they may be under the influence, call the police so no one gets hurt.
When parking, choose a spot where you don’t need to reverse
If possible, park in a place where you don’t need to reverse to avoid backing up with reduced visibility. If your only option is to reverse out of a spot, particularly in a residential area, have a passenger get out and help guide you. They will be able to keep an eye out for trick or treaters while you can focus on reversing safely.
Plan in advance for road closures
Halloween is exciting, particularly when towns and cities put on fun events. These events, however, may lead to an increase in traffic and even road closures. Be sure to check the internet or local news outlets to find out if this will affect your route.
Allow extra time
Give yourself even more time than necessary to arrive at your destination. This will reduce your stress and allow you to drive slower and safer.
Halloween Safety Tips for Parents and Trick or Treaters
Trick or treat before it gets dark
When trick or treating, particularly with younger children, it’s safer to trick or treat before it gets fully dark. According to the International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health article, the largest number of injuries on Halloween occur between 5pm and 7pm – so avoid these times if you can.
Drop off and pick up responsibly
Make sure when dropping off or picking up your trick or treaters, take the time to stop on the driveway. It’s important to avoid waiting on the street as other vehicles may think you’re parked and try to overtake you. If the only option is on-street parking, indicate to other motorists. Use your hazard lights and ensure that your children exit the vehicle on the side closest to the pavement.
Speak with your kids about street safety
Studies have shown that parents overestimate their child’s concept of street safety. Make sure they understand the rules of the road before they get swept up in the excitement of the Halloween fun. Remind them to always walk and never run, and to pay attention to cars pulling in and out of driveways when walking from house to house. Ensure your children to only cross the street when led by an adult, and to always pay attention to cars.
Use the buddy system
Even if you’re trick or treating in a group, make sure your little ones agree to following the buddy system. When no one walks alone, the kids are easier to keep track of and are less likely to dart into the road.
Make your trick or treaters more visible
Keeping your kids safe on Halloween begins before you even start trick or treating, but with the right costume. Go for a lighter coloured costume that will increase their visibility to people driving on the road. If you can, choose a costume that incorporates reflective material into the design. If you can’t find one, adding reflective tape to the front and back of the costumes is an easy fix.
Ensure that you don’t pick a costume that will impair their vision, like masks, so they can always pay full attention to what’s going on around them and on the road. Giving them glow sticks is a fun way to make them more visible. They’ll enjoy picking their favourite colours, and the glow will help you keep track of everyone in your group while ensuring motorists can spot them from a distance.
Always buckle up
If you’re transporting the kids to go trick or treating, puffier costumes can reduce the effectiveness of seatbelts. If necessary, wait until you’re at your destination to put your kids in their costumes. Be sure that if your little one is still in a booster seat that their costume doesn’t interfere with getting properly clipped in.
Stay off mobile phones
Make memories that will last a lifetime by being present and off the phone. While it’s understandable that you want to snap some fabulous photos of your kids all dressed up, do so in a safe location when the group isn’t moving. When the group starts its trick or treating route, particularly near roads, put your phones away. Being distracted, even for a moment, can be dangerous.
Have a Sweet & Safe Halloween!
We hope that this spooky season will be more treats than tricks! Ensure a fun night out, following these Halloween safety rules for drivers and trick or treaters alike. By being cautious when overtaking parked cars, planning your route in advance, or booking a taxi, you’re keeping your community and yourself safe.
Let us know which Halloween safety tips you’ll be using by reaching us on on X (Twitter), Facebook or Instagram.
Looking for some fun Halloween events not a far drive from London? Check out our blog post on the best Halloween days out!
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