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Tips for drivers and pedestrians on the road this Halloween
Black and orange decorations are seemingly everywhere. Bags of candy can't stay on the shelves. And costume shops are at their busiest. Of course…Halloween is right around the corner! This means children and adults will take to the streets in droves.
Children will be going door to door in their costumes, crossing streets and intersections while paying minimal attention to traffic. Many adults will celebrate the holiday with festivities that often include alcoholic beverages. Without proper planning and preparation, the outcome for all involved can be deadly. Halloween ranks among the three most dangerous holidays for all pedestrians—not just children.
To help keep the roadways safe during the Halloween weekend, AAA offers a few easy tips:
- Designate a sober driver in advance. If you are intending to drink alcohol, plan ahead to get home safely by selecting a designated driver or ensuring cab service is available from the party location. Never ride with a driver who has been drinking.
- Consider an overnight stay. If attending a party at a friend's home, consider asking to stay overnight. If participating in festivities in a downtown or commercial area, look into hotel accommodations within walking distance. Many hotels offer special Halloween weekend rates and promotions.
- Do not let impaired guests drive. If hosting a Halloween party, remind guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver. Offer alcohol-free beverages and do not allow impaired guests to drive. Prepare a list of local taxi companies in advance to have ready should guests need to call one.
- Take advantage of AAA's Tow to Go service. If you or the person you are riding with has had too much to drink, simply call 1-800-AAA-HELP, and a AAA tow truck will come to take you and your vehicle home, free of charge.
- Avoid traveling through residential areas. If possible, try to avoid cutting through residential areas where trick-or-treaters are likely to be present. If providing directions to a party, try not to route guests through residential areas unnecessarily.
- Watch for children in the street. While trick-or-treating, children might not pay attention to traffic and cross mid-block or between parked cars. Motorists should scan far ahead when driving in residential areas, watch for children, and cautiously monitor their actions.
- Obey the speed limit. Motorists should obey the posted speed limit. When driving through residential areas where trick-or-treaters are likely out, consider driving five miles per hour less than the posted speed limit.
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Choose highly visible costumes: Look for light, bright and reflective costumes that make trick-or-treaters easy to see. Add reflective tape to costumes as well as treat buckets and bags to increase visibility. Also, choose face painting instead of a mask, which may restrict vision. - Carry a flashlight. A flashlight can help trick-or-treaters see and be seen, but it should never be directed at someone's eyes, especially those of passing motorists. Make sure to install fresh batteries beforehand.
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween.