Auto Transport Safety Tips for Halloween Travel
It might surprise you to learn that, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians, twice as many kids are hit and killed during Halloween than on any other day of the year, which is a scary statistic.
If you’re planning to travel this Halloween, it’s super important to drive extra safely. Here at SGT Auto Transport, we love this time of the year. To help you keep safe while enjoying your Halloween travels, we thought we’d share some tips. Right at the end of the post, we’ll also share the best places to travel for Halloween.
Use Your Headlights
To improve your visibility to other drivers and pedestrians, consider turning on your headlights well before sunset and keep them illuminated throughout the evening.
It’s also a particularly good signal for others that your vehicle is moving and could help prevent accidents.
Slow Down and Stay Alert
Halloween is a busy time for pedestrians of all shapes and sizes, dressed up in creative costumes. They’re not going to be thinking too much about road safety, instead, they’ll be concentrating on having fun and consuming copious amounts of candy.
That means you need to be super vigilant and reduce your speed. Expect an increased number of pedestrians, particularly in residential areas, and be prepared to stop at any moment. Keeping your speed in check is essential, just in case kids dart out from between parked cars or cross streets unexpectedly.
Watch for Impaired Drivers
Halloween is not just for kids. There are plenty of adults who like to indulge in the spirit of the holiday.
Be extra cautious for drivers who might have overindulged and maintain a safe following distance. If you notice a vehicle moving erratically, don’t confront the driver. It’s far better to call the local authorities and report the situation.
Eliminate Distractions
Distracted driving is dangerous at any time of the year, but on Halloween, the risk is even higher.
Put your mobile phone in the glove box and focus on the road. Your primary responsibility while driving is to be alert and attentive to the road, especially when young trick-or-treaters are out and about having fun.
Plan Your Route in Advance
Before you head out this Halloween, plan your route carefully. Try to avoid areas known for heavy trick-or-treating traffic and pick alternative routes if possible. This will help minimize your stress and reduce the risk of accidents.
Be Patient
The streets can be very congested on Halloween, which means you need to be patient and understanding and wait for people to cross. Delays may be inevitable but don’t get frustrated. Keep in mind the safety of those on the streets is paramount.
Use Extra Caution Near Intersections and Crosswalks
You should be particularly cautious when approaching intersections and crosswalks. Pedestrians and children might presume that drivers are going to yield the right of way, so be prepared to stop, even if it’s your right of way. In addition, always come to a full stop at any stop sign or crosswalk.
Communicate With Other Drivers
Remember to use your hazard lights and turn signals when appropriate. These communicate your intentions to other drivers and pedestrians. When you’re clear about your actions, it helps prevent misunderstandings and reduce the risk of potential accidents.
Respect Costume-Clad Pedestrians
Trick-or-treaters and Halloween revelers can get highly creative with their costumes, and some may be wearing outfits that limit their vision or mobility. Make sure to drive carefully and be prepared for any changes in direction or sudden movements.
Best Places to Visit for Halloween in the US
With the spooky season just around the corner, we thought we’d finish with some suggestions for where you can go this Halloween. There’s no better way to honor this special day than with a trip to a place primed and ready to celebrate ghosts, goblins, witches, and other scary things.
Salem, Massachusetts
This coastal Massachusetts community was the site of the Salem Witch Trials which began in 1692. A total of 19 men and women were hung there, and the air is thick with spirits, particularly around Halloween.
Every October, the town hosts the Salem Haunted Happenings. Festivities include a parade, film nights, a costume ball, and much more.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans might be best known for its Mardi Gras celebrations, but its Halloween parties are pretty special too. In October, the city dusts off the decorations and its best costumes for parades and parties.
If you want to send a few shivers down your spine before joining the festivities, consider taking a ghost tour of the French Quarter.
Savannah, Georgia
If you want to be almost guaranteed a ghost sighting, Savannah, Georgia is the place to go. The southern city is full of ghost stories thanks to haunted buildings, hotels, bars, and more. To help you find your way around, there are plentiful ghost tours to experience.
New York City
New York City is always up for a party, especially during Halloween. You can expect countless parties and haunted events, Halloween parades, and performances. The entire month of October is filled with events. However, the most popular is the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade which starts at dusk and continues throughout the night.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has a long history of violence from the heyday of the mob to modern-day gang rivalries. Old school gangsters filled the waterways with the bodies of their victims and believers in the paranormal tell stories of screams echoing from the Clark Street Bridge. Clark Street is where the Valentine’s Day Massacre took place.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs is a small town in the Ozark Mountains. There you’ll find one of America’s most haunted hotels, the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa. The hotel staff offers a daily ghost tour and hosts an annual paranormal event for researchers from all over the world, called the Eureka Springs Paranormal Weekend.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is an old gold rush town and home to one of the eeriest places in the US, Alcatraz Prison. Tours of “The Rock” are available, but if you want to give yourself a real scare, opt for a haunted night tour because it adds a whole nother level of chill.
Sleepy Hollow, New York
This is the stomping ground on Washington Irving’s Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane. Rumors are that locals still see the horseman in The Old Dutch Burying Ground, where Irving himself is buried. Lantern-guided tours of the cemetery are offered day and night. However, on All Hallows Eve, the town embraces its heritage with hayrides, a street fair, and haunted tours of the town’s Gothic mansions.
Long Beach, California
This might not be the spookiest of places to visit, but the city does throw a giant Halloween celebration. It is also home to the Queen Mary cruise liner, which ranks among the most haunted places in the US.
Orlando, Florida
Famous for its beaches and Disney World theme parks, it’s also the location for “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” which runs from mid-August through to October 31st. There’s a parade, a special show by the three Hocus Pocus sisters, a fireworks show, a dance party, and miles of trick-or-treating trails.
Our shipping advisors will be on call throughout the Halloween celebrations to ensure your vehicles are shipped safely and with no surprises. Call (864) 546-5038 or use our Live Chat option to request your free quote.
