Halloween Driving Safety Tips

This year Halloween falls on a Friday (Friday, October 31st) and because of this traffic will increase (not only because of the holiday, but because of the weekend) with cars, trucks, trick-or-treaters and Halloween party goers.  According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) automobile related accidents with young pedestrians increase four times on Halloween night.

In most areas, parents usually drive their children to nearby neighborhoods and subdivisions and let them out of the car and walk from house to house, while following behind them in their car.  Of course this causes a distraction for these drivers as they are trying to not only pay attention to traffic (kids darting in and out between cars and other automobiles) but keeping an eye on their own kid(s) as well.

On Halloween, automobile drivers and trick-or-treaters need be very defensive and pay attention on this festive, holiday night.

Some safety tips both drivers and trick-or-treaters need to know are:

Trick-or-Treaters should:

  1. Pay attention to crosswalks, intersections and side of the roads.
  2. Never get in a car with a stranger.
  3. Never go with or take candy from a stranger who approaches you on the street.
  4. Carry a flashlight or glow stick with you to make you visible to cars and other trick-or-treaters.

Drivers should:

  1. Pull off to a safe spot, if you are dropping off or picking up your kids in a neighborhood.
  2. Put a lighted pumpkin or some other lighted object on your dashboard (while parked) so your child can identify your car.
  3. Not pass other cars that may have stopped in front of you – they might be dropping off children.
  4. Drive below posted speed limits in residential areas.
  5. Not use their cell phone or other technology while driving.

Even though this article pertains to Halloween Driving Safety, Attorney Warren’s book entitled:  A Crash Course in Virginia Automobile Injury Cases, is a great way to ensure that you protect your rights after any type of vehicle accident. To receive a free copy of the book, click the following link:  A Crash Course in Virginia Automobile Injury Cases.

Although The Warren Firm is located in Charlottesville, VA, Vaden Warren accepts and tries cases from all over Virginia, including Richmond, Louisa, Tappahannock, Lynchburg, and many other surrounding cities and towns. If you or a loved one has been involved in a Virginia car accident, please do not hesitate to give us a call at (434) 972-9090 or visit our website at The Warren Firm.