Halloween Driving Safety

According to the National Safety Council, 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. Whether you’re driving to a Halloween party or just home from work, extra caution can go a long way on Halloween. 

The speed limit in most residential neighborhoods is 30 miles per hour. According to research by ProPublica, when struck by a vehicle at 30 miles per hour, a person has an 80% chance of survival. That chance goes up to 93% if the vehicle is driving 20 miles per hour. Plan to leave home or work early to allow any extra time it may take to drive well below the posted speed limit.

Pay close attention to vehicles parked on the street and in driveways. They could be dropping off children who are excited about trick or treating and may unexpectedly dart into the roadway. 

Turn signals benefit pedestrians just as much as other vehicles. Make sure to use your blinkers even when no other vehicles are around. There may be pedestrians watching to see which way you are going. If you are stopping to pick up or drop off children, use your hazard lights to get the attention of other drivers. 

With all the extra pedestrian traffic on Halloween, take extra care to focus on driving safety and avoid distractions. Silence your phone before driving and turn off the radio. Wait to talk, text, and surf the internet once you have safely reached your destination. 

Safe driving habits help prevent accidents. Happy Halloween driving. Stay safe.