Don’t be afraid of driving on Halloween

There are plenty of spooky, scary things associated with Halloween, but driving shouldn’t be one of them. Whether you’re traveling by car or on foot on All Hallows’ Eve, the Defensive Driving team recommends familiarizing yourself with our list of safety tips and tricks (pun intended!).

If you’re driving:
• Drive slowly (especially in neighborhoods between 4 and 8 p.m., which typically is when most families are out trick-or-treating) and don’t pass stopped vehicles because they might be dropping off or picking up children.
• Be patient and take your time. Expect to stop frequently, especially in residential areas.
• If you’re familiar with an alternate route that will help you avoid busy neighborhoods, go around.
• Stay off your cellphone. Wait until you’ve parked the car to talk, text or surf the Web.
• Keep a close eye out for children. Always yield to them and watch out for young trick-or-treaters darting into the street.
• Always, always, always use your turn signals; and turn on your hazard lights when dropping off and picking up children.
• Don’t drink and drive. This is an especially important rule of thumb on Oct. 31 because so many pedestrians are out and about. If you do plan on drinking on Halloween, designate a sober driver or arrange for a cab.

If you’re walking:
• Teach your children how to cross the street appropriately: instruct them to look both ways before crossing the street and to cross only at corners/crosswalks/intersections.
• Consider trick-or-treating before nightfall. If you plan on being out after dark, give your kids flashlights or glow sticks to hold/wear and put reflective tape on their costumes so they are visible to drivers.
• Plan to trick-or-treat in a neighborhood you are familiar with; and always stay aware of your surroundings.

And, last but not least, Happy Halloween from everyone at Defensive Driving Online!

~B. Waldman