Be afraid, be very afraid! When Halloween comes around, parents grapple with the fear of sending their kids out trick-or-treating, worried about the mayhem, mischief, and candy taken from strangers involved. For decades, Hollywood has depicted such scary scenes in movies, making the spooky fall season even scarier in our minds.
But, in reality, the biggest threat to life on “All Hallows Eve” is motor vehicle accidents. According to Safe Kids USA, twice as many children are killed by a car while walking on Halloween than any other night of the year. And with adult parties going on all around the Halloween week, drunk driving is another very real threat.
So, just for fun, we’ve tagged some macabre movie titles to our list of driving safety tips to help you remember 13 ways avoid any personal scares while you drive this Halloween.
The Twilight Zone: Drive carefully as night falls.
Beware the evening from around 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Stats say this is the prime time reported incidents of pedestrian accidents happen on Halloween.
The Last House on the Left: Avoid side streets.
Since kids are running from house to house on side streets, the best route to take to your destination is going to be major streets and highways. Avoid that shortcut if at all possible.
Salem’s Lot: Be careful entering parking lots.
That goes for driveways too. Remember, when you turn and move across the sidewalk, kids could very well be there, walking in a completely black Darth Vader outfit.
The Hills Have Eyes: Use your high beams when needed.
The NHTSA recommends that you keep your high beams on until pedestrians are spotted while driving in darker areas. They say it’s only marginally better than low beams but it will still be more effective.
The Sixth Sense: Eliminate all distractions.
Reduce distractions while you’re driving, like talking on a cell phone or using a navigation program. Even eating can distract you and put you and the people around you in danger.
Wait Until Dark: Make sure all your lights work.
What better time than Halloween to go around your car with the lights on and check for any blown out bulbs? It takes only a minute.
The Mask: Don’t wear a mask while driving.
You may be on your way to a party in full costume, but if you’re wearing a mask, you’ve just reduced your chances of making it to the party in one piece. If it blocks your vision, take it off.
Altered States: Don’t drink and drive.
Kids have their candy and adults have their cocktails. Get a designated driver or pass on that martini when you’re out and about during Halloween season.
Red Asphalt: Buckle up – even in your costume.
Yes, some costumes make you three times the size of your original body, but make sure you can get a seat belt around you or your child on the way to your festivities.
Scream!: Watch for kids darting into the road.
Watch for kids who might be running, dashing and dancing in the street. Kids and teens are distracted and excited when they hit the streets on Halloween. The chances of kids dashing out between two parked cars increases greatly during this time.
Creepers: Beware of cars transporting trick-or-treaters.
Many parents drive their kids from house to house to trick-or-treat. Don’t let this new trend catch you by surprise when you see what looks like a parked car pull out in front of you by mistake.
The Vanishing: Just stay home.
Plan to arrive home early (well before the sun begins to set) or stay out past the typical rush of trick-or-treating. It’s the best way to avoid the hazards on October 31st:
I’ve Been Waiting for You: Be patient and take your time.
Expect to stop frequently as youngsters run from house to house or as families prepare to cross the street. Allow plenty of time so you can take as many precautions as possible, especially in high-traffic neighborhoods.
Of all the popular holidays, Halloween is the one day of the year where our children’s live are literally at increased risk. While it’s fun to pretend to be frightened, the real thing is no fun for anyone. As adult drivers, we just need to be a bit more aware of the risk while still having a lot of fun with our kids.
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