Halloween brings out lots of dangers – both for drivers and for trick or treaters. Follow these tips, and your Halloween will be the best kind of spooky.
Drive slowly, and don’t pass stopped vehicles. The driver might be dropping off children.
Leave your phone alone. Avoid distractions by waiting until you’ve stopped to call, text, or surf. (This is true any night of the year.
Watch for children darting into the street. Kids can cross the street anywhere, especially when they are all hopped up on candy. Most young pedestrian deaths happen at spots other than intersections.
Yield to young pedestrians. Children might not stop, either because they don’t see your vehicle approaching or don’t know how to safely cross the street.
Communicate with other drivers. Always use your turn signals. And if you have to pull over to drop off or pick up your kids, turn on your hazard lights.
And, to keep your own trick-or-treaters safe:
Teach them how to safely cross streets. They should look both ways and cross only at corners and crosswalks.
Consider alternative Halloween programs for younger kids. Many churches and community centers offer “trunk or treat” programs so you and your kids aren’t wandering the streets after dark.
Brighten them up. Give them flashlights and glow sticks, and/or use reflective tape on their costumes, so drivers can see them.
Happy Halloween from The Phoenix – now go out there and be safe.