5 tips for car safety on the spookiest night of the year

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5 tips for car safety on the spookiest night of the year

Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year, but with thousands of excited children darting across dimly lit streets, it also becomes one of the most dangerous nights for drivers. Whether you’re chauffeuring your little monsters to the best neighborhoods, commuting to a party or event, or just driving home from work, your friends at CheapInsurance.com want to make sure your Halloween is safe, not spooky.

Here are some essential car safety tips for a happy (and claims-free) Halloween night.

1. Drive Like You’re Being Followed (By Ghosts!)

On Halloween, vigilance is key. According to safety data analyzed by Safe Kids Worldwide, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

• Slow Way Down: Reduce your speed significantly, especially in residential neighborhoods, regardless of the posted speed limit. A few extra miles per hour could be the difference between stopping in time and an accident.
• Expect the Unexpected: Children often forget basic safety rules in their excitement. Assume they will dart out from between parked cars, ignore crosswalks, and be difficult to see.
• Watch for Dark Costumes: Many costumes are dark-colored, making them blend in with the night. Look for the glow of reflective tape or flashlights, but actively scan for shapes.
• Signal Everything: Be overly communicative with other drivers and pedestrians. Signal all turns and lane changes well in advance.
• Eliminate Distractions: Put your phone away. The full focus of your vision and attention must be on the road, not on a call or text.

2. Navigating the Trick-or-Treat Commute

If your family lives in a quiet, rural area and you’re driving to a more populated neighborhood for the best candy haul, planning your vehicle travel is crucial.

• Prep the Car for the Trip: Ensure your car is in good working order before heading out. Check your tires and, most importantly, confirm your headlights and taillights are clean and functioning properly for both the dark roads and crowded streets.
• The Rural Route: Driving on country roads means you need to be cautious of wildlife in addition to a few late-night drivers. Maintain your speed and use your high beams when no other traffic is present, but be ready to dim them immediately.
• Parking Strategy in Populated Areas: Avoid parking directly on a main trick-or-treating street. Find a spot a few blocks away in a quieter side street. This reduces your risk of hitting a pedestrian while maneuvering and keeps your car out of the heavy foot traffic.
• Safe Loading and Unloading: Make sure all children exit the vehicle on the curb side, away from traffic, whenever possible. Remind them to wait until the car is fully stopped.

3. Don’t Get “Tricked”: Protecting Your Parked Vehicle

Halloween is synonymous with harmless fun, but sometimes the “tricks” can result in real damage. Vandalism, such as eggs, soap, or shaving cream on a vehicle, is a common Halloween prank and can cause serious damage to your paint and finish if not addressed immediately.

• Park Smart: The best defense is a garage. If you don’t have one, park your vehicle in a well-lit area near street lamps or under a light that deters potential vandals.
• Watch Out for Prank Material: If you see any signs of pranks being set up in your neighborhood (like toilet paper rolls or containers of eggs), move your car immediately.
• Remove Valuables: Keep your car empty of anything tempting. Even a small piece of loose change or electronics charging cord can be enough to entice a car break-in.
• Comprehensive Coverage is Your Ally: Vandalism is typically covered under the comprehensive coverage section of your car insurance policy. While we hope you never need it, having solid comprehensive coverage ensures that if a Halloween “trick” turns into hundreds of dollars in damage, you’re protected.

4. Safety at the Curb and Door

If you are staying home to hand out treats, you can still play a big role in keeping neighborhood children safe, especially those approaching from the street.

• Illuminate Your Walkway: Ensure your porch and any paths leading to your door are brightly lit. Dim lighting is an open invitation for trips and falls.
• Clear the Path: Remove any tripping hazards from your porch or sidewalk, like garden hoses, tools, decorations that hang too low, or misplaced pumpkins.
• Keep Pets Contained: Secure your dogs, cats, or other pets away from the front door. This prevents them from slipping out and keeps excited children from being scratched or bitten.
• Watch Driveway Entrances: If you have an in-and-out driveway, be extra vigilant of children cutting across it between your house and a neighbor’s.

5. Be Mindful of Adult Celebration and Impairment

While children’s safety is paramount, remember that Halloween is also a major night for adult parties and celebrations, which means an increase in impaired driving.

Look Out for Other Impaired Drivers: Be extra alert for erratic driving behavior from others, such as sudden braking, weaving, or driving without headlights. Maintain a safe following distance and, if you see dangerously impaired driving, pull over safely and call the non-emergency police line or 911.

Have a Designated Driver Plan: If you are attending a party, assume zero tolerance for alcohol or drug use before driving. Plan your ride in advance, whether it’s a designated driver, ride-sharing service, or a taxi. Never risk getting behind the wheel impaired—your life, and the lives of the children and families on the street, are not worth the risk.

Have a Safe and Spooky Night!

This Halloween, remember: patience is your most important tool behind the wheel. Drive slowly, watch carefully, and protect your vehicle. By being prepared both on the road and at home, you ensure that the only scary thing this season is the number of candy wrappers your kids leave behind.

Most importantly, make the pledge now to drive sober. Halloween is consistently one of the deadliest nights of the year for pedestrians and drivers due to alcohol-impaired crashes. Your insurance can cover a claim, but it can never undo a tragedy.

This story was produced by CheapInsurance.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.