Four Tips for Staying Safe on the Road on Halloween

The crisp, cool days of October are finally here and with them a whole host of new challenges for fleet owners and drivers. Among those safety concerns is the season’s big holiday – Halloween. Tragically, children are more than twice as likely to be hit and killed by a vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year according to the National Safety Council. Additionally, October is the 2^nd most fatal month for vehicular deaths, which means fleet managers and drivers need to be especially attentive over the holiday weekend.

Be Watchful All Weekend

In addition to trick-or-treaters being out on October 31, children and partiers will be out and about on the weekend leading up to Halloween. A recent article from Progressive offers these tips for drivers to keep the community safe:

• Peak hours
  If you have drivers on the road in the late afternoon to early evening, research when Halloween activities occur in your city. Drivers should be extra cautious between 4 and 8 p.m. when most severe vehicle/young pedestrian collisions happen.
• Drive slowly, and don’t pass stopped vehicles
  Other drivers may be dropping off children. Drive slow; deliveries can wait.
• Park your mobile phone
  Employees shouldn’t be on their phones while behind the wheel. Make sure they avoid distraction by waiting until they’ve reached their destination to make a call or send a text.
• Watch for kids darting into the street
  Excited children might cross the street anywhere, with or without stopping to look both ways. Most young pedestrian deaths happen at spots other than intersections. Once the sun starts to set, children will be even harder to see, especially if they are in dark costumes.
• Communicate with other drivers
  Make sure drivers use proper turn signals and turn on their hazards if they stop to make a delivery.

Keep Costumes in the Office

While a friendly costume contest is a great way to boost employee morale, discourage drivers from dressing up while on the road. Masks, wigs, hats, and even make-up can obstruct vision and lead to accidents.

Stay Safe Off the Clock

If your drivers are off the clock and out with their own kids on Halloween night, remind them to stay safe and alert while trick-or-treating.  Always have a route planned and travel in groups in well-lit areas. And, of course, teach your kids to stop, look both ways, and walk (not run) across the street. For more safety tips, direct your employees to this article from AAA.

By exercising caution and staying alert and focused, you can ensure a safe and happy Halloween for your fleet and your community.

Sources:

https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/autumn/halloween

https://www.progressive.com/lifelanes/on-the-road/halloween-safety/