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Behind the Wheel on Halloween Night
As Halloween night approaches, young kids everywhere are anticipating the thrill of dressing up, going door to door, and racking up as much candy as they can. The unexpected excitement comes after counting the night's loot and beating last year's record!
On the other hand, as a driver taking an usual route home that evening, you might encounter something unexpected as well; swarms of costumed kids crossing the roads at all different times, caught up in the excitement of the night.
As a parent, sending your kids out on Halloween and especially after dark can be nerve-wracking. You can warn them to be careful, cross at the crosswalk, and look both ways, but after a little sugar and a few hundred blocks later, kids could be anywhere.
If you do decide to venture out on the roads on Halloween night, please remember to be extra careful and more alert than ever when driving. Follow these easy driving tips to keep everyone safe this year.
- Be especially alert.
Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are during the typical rush-hour period, between 5:30-9:30 p.m.
- Drive more slowly.
Slow down and anticipate heavier than usual pedestrian traffic.
- Lights on.
Be sure to drive with your full headlights on so you can spot children from greater distances.
- Phones off.
Talking and texting while driving are dangerous at any time, however with increased pedestrian traffic, this can be a very deadly activity. Do not text or talk on the phone while driving.
- Crosswalks come first.
Pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks. Slow down when approaching crosswalks and stop to all pedestrians.
- Buckle up.
Buckling up not only saves the driver's life, but it also saves the lives of passengers by preventing them from being ejected out of the car or flying around inside the vehicle when it crashes. It is also the law.
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Posted Date: October 2009