Experts share how to avoid three points on your licence this Halloween
With the number of traffic accidents between 5pm and 7pm on Halloween higher than any other day of the year, parents and motorists need to take the necessary steps to keep trick-or-treaters safe this spooky season.1
To shed some light on the steps that road users should be taking to make sure everyone can enjoy Halloween safely, Motorpoint’s resident driving expert Tim Rodie has shared six simple tips:
Use reflective tape to make trick-or-treaters more visible
Adding reflective tape to Halloween costumes is a great way to make little ones more visible when crossing the road – particularly if their costume is made of dark fabric.
As Tim explains: “Not only will reflective gear give parents peace of mind when trick-or-treating with their children, but it will make motorists much more aware of their presence when driving after dark. This way, potential accidents can be avoided, making spooky season much safer for everyone.”
“If you know you and your little one will regularly be outdoors after dark, it can be worth investing in high-vis jackets that can be worn over any outfit – including Halloween costumes – to help keep pedestrians safe when walking after dark.”
Don’t drive in your Halloween costume
Whether you’re heading to a Halloween party or driving over so your children can trick-or-treat with friends, driving in your Halloween costume could land motorists with up to a £5,000 fine and points on their licence.
“While dressing up for Halloween can be fun, it’s not a good idea to get behind the wheel when in your full costume. The nature of many common Halloween costumes means they aren’t suitable for driving, particularly if they include capes, masks or unusual footwear. If you chose to drive in a costume that could in some way limit your ability to drive safely, it can be classed as careless or dangerous driving,” says Tim.
“If you do need to drive someone on Halloween, it’s best to travel in your normal clothes and putting on your costume once you arrive at your final destination.”
Slow down this spooky season
With it getting dark earlier now the clocks have gone back, visibility will be much lower for all road users. To reduce the likelihood of accidents and near misses, it’s vital to slow down, particularly when driving in residential areas where there might be sharp corners.
Discussing why this advice is especially important on Halloween when there’s likely to be more pedestrians out-and-about than usual, Tim said: “This Halloween motorists should be aware of the increased risks on the road and slow down when out driving. Being a little more vigilant is the easiest way to ensure that everyone gets home safely – hopefully with plenty of Halloween treats.”
Think twice about letting children trick-or-treat alone
Halloween is an exciting time for children to venture out after dark, but until they are old enough to safely walk on their own, they should always be accompanied by an adult.
“The excitement of Halloween can leave little ones at risk of forgetting all the road safety advice they’ve been taught,” explains Tim. “With research showing that Halloween is the most dangerous night of the year for pedestrians and motorists alike, it’s a good opportunity to practice road safety in an engaging way.”
Motorists should avoid dangerous decor
With spooky season in full swing, motorists may be tempted to bring Halloween decor into their car, however this could result a hefty fine, warns Tim.
“Decorations such as cobwebs or bunting can obstruct the view of someone driving, putting them and other road users at risk. If caught driving with an obstructed view, motorists’ risk being fined up to £200 and might receive three points on their licence.”
He continues: “If for any reason your spooky decorations were to obstruct your registration plate, car owners could receive fines stretching into the thousands. To be on the safe side, I’d suggest keeping the spooky celebrations at home.”
Be mindful of dazzling pedestrians and motorists this Halloween
While full beam highlights can make it easier for motorists driving on unlit rural roads to see, it isn’t something that should be used in well-lit residential areas as it can dazzle drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders – decreasing their visibility and ultimately putting them in danger.
“It’s dangerous to use your main beam inappropriately as dazzling other road users can lead to accidents,” advises Tim.
“Equally, if you’re planning on heading out trick-or-treating with torches or any other light-up accessories, make sure they aren’t pointed at oncoming traffic as it could seriously impact a motorist’s ability to see what is in front of them.”
For more advice and safety tips on driving in the dark, visit: https://www.motorpoint.co.uk/guides/tips-for-driving-in-the-dark
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