Drivers need to do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe. Remember these tips when driving on Halloween:
- Be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.
- Drive more slowly and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic on and near the road.
- Keep your full headlights on so you can spot children and families from a greater distance.
- Take extra time to actively look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs. Costumes can limit children’s visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle.
- Remember that some costumes can affect stability and mobility of children when walking through neighborhoods.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
- Be especially careful during popular trick-or-treating hours, 5:30 to 9:30 pm.
- Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and pedestrians.
Sylvia Scholl is the director of the WakeMed Trauma Program.
