Adults should be mindful of driver safety as children prepare for an evening of scary costumes and candy this Halloween. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Halloween is the most dangerous night for child pedestrians.
Firestone Complete Auto Care provides tips to help drivers avoid frightening situations this Halloween
Slow down. Many children rush from one house to the next on Halloween eager to shout. “Trick-or-Treat”Score their next batch. Slowing down can help drivers see around them better and enable them to stop more quickly. Another benefit of slow speeds is that they use less fuel.
Avoid distractions. Drivers should not listen to radios or talk on cell phones, but instead pay attention to what is happening around them. Distractions should be avoided so drivers can pay attention to the ghosts, goblins, and ghouls who may be crossing the street.
Be visible. Before you get behind the wheel for Halloween, ensure your lights are on, your windshield wipers in good shape, and your windshield washer fluid at the appropriate level. On Halloween, visibility is crucial. Many children dress in masks and costumes to obscure their vision. Drivers should be extra cautious. Functional lights are important not only for driver’s visibility but also to help children spot cars.
Make sure you check the tires. Tires wear faster and have less ability to grip roads in adverse conditions. It can take up to four times as long to stop on wet roads than it does on dry roads. Tire wear can cause hydroplaning or skidding on wet roads. For proper road grip, drivers should test their tire pressures and tread depths at least once a month.
Parents should instill safe driving habits with their children to ensure Halloween safety. In a few years, the ghosts, goblins, and ghouls themselves will be driving.
