If you’re already dealing with the aftermath of a car crash or some other incident that caused you injuries, you may have some added trepidation about driving on or around Halloween night. For a lot of people, this is the first Halloween in a few years that they’ll be able to celebrate with friends or just take the kids trick-or-treating. That means a lot more pedestrians and drivers on and near the roads
Whether you’re driving your kids to a Halloween event or you’re just trying to make it home from work safely, Consumer Reports and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) have some important tips to help everyone get where they’re going safely.
Be especially careful in residential areas
If you’re in a residential area or anywhere kids may be around, drive slowly. Look both ways not just at every intersection but at every driveway on both sides of the street. Be careful if you’re pulling into or out of a parking lot to watch for pedestrians on the sidewalks.
It’s crucial to watch for kids running out from in front of or behind parked cars as well. If you see one child run out, expect that are more behind them. There will be a lot of kids out who aren’t sure exactly where they are and whose masks and costumes might limit their peripheral vision.
Watch out for impaired drivers
There are likely to be more drunk and drugged drivers on the road than usual. Watch out for people driving erratically and keep your distance. Report a dangerous driver to 911 if necessary.
Don’t be one of these drivers. If you’re going to a party over Halloween weekend, leave the car at home and rely on Uber or Lyft. You can save some money by sharing your ride with a few friends.
Make sure kids are buckled in securely
If you’ve got kids in the car with costumes on, make sure their child safety seats or seat belts are properly secured. You might want to test that out before you choose a large, unwieldy costume. If you’re letting them in and out of the car to trick-or-treat, be sure they’re buckled in every time they get in the car.
Remember that when another driver causes a crash, you should never settle with their insurance company until you’re sure you’re getting the compensation to which you’re entitled. Having legal guidance can help.