Halloween, the weather, and the time change together may make driving a particular challenge later this week, through the weekend, and into the Monday evening commute.
Halloween is this Saturday, October 31st. Celebrations may begin as early as Thursday and may involve drinking and driving, so motorists should be aware and extra cautious through the holiday weekend.
Surprisingly, there may be another event that could add to our driving concerns throughout the Metroplex in the latter part of the week—rain. I know, many of us aren’t even sure what rain is anymore—or at the very least, we don’t trust the weather peoples’ ability to predict it—but we should be prepared for it none-the-less. The possibility of rain, including thunderstorms, begins on Thursday and continues through Monday.
And then there’s the time change. Though many of us are happy about gaining an hour—especially an hour of sleep after what will likely be a busy weekend for many—the end of Daylight Saving Time means a dark commute on Monday evening—which makes driving more hazardous until we all get used to it.
You may have heard many times over the years about how to adjust your driving for all of these eventualities, but there is the concern that people pay attention to suggestions for driving in various situations about as well as they pay attention to flight attendants as they give instructions for handling emergencies on airplanes. But with all of these conditions impacting driving safety over the next few days, it would be wise for all of us to take driving safety suggestions seriously. Here is a quick checklist for driving safely through the Halloween season:
- First, if you can avoid driving on Halloween, do so.
- Take kids trick-or-treating close to home, and take them before it’s truly dark. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), most accidents with pedestrians happen after dark.
- Make sure children are buckled correctly into their child car seats or seat belts—especially if they are wearing costumes that can affect how well their seat belts fit. Consumer Reports suggests waiting to have children put on their costumes until after you get to your destination. And make sure children buckle up every time they are in the car—even if you’re going a short distance.
- When you are dropping children off, pull over at a safe location at the curb and away from traffic. Use your hazard lights to alert other drivers that you are there.
- Drive under the speed limit on Halloween evening. Slower speeds save lives.
- Keep your headlights on at all times. Scan the road continually for pedestrians and be prepared for children to dart in front of you at any moment. Remember, if you see one child, there are likely to be others nearby.
- Get rid of all distractions while driving like cell phones, blasting radios, and snacks (including your kids’ Halloween candy).
- Don’t pass a car that is pulled over. Children may be exiting from it.
- If you park and must back up, station another adult outside of the car to watch for any children darting behind you.
- Follow all road rules and traffic signs. Always give right-of-way to pedestrians. Assume children are not aware of your presence.
- Don’t let teenagers drive on Halloween! They are far more likely to crash than any other age group.
- Never, ever, under any circumstances drink and drive. Even a tiny amount of alcohol can impair your judgement and lead to dire consequences. And if you see a drunk driver, call law enforcement immediately.
If you’re throwing a party, consider having your gathering on Thursday or Friday to cut down on traffic when the most kids are out and about. Whenever you hold your gathering, be responsible and take action to make sure guests get home safely:
- Take keys from all guests who are drinking.
- Make sure everyone has a designated driver or has scheduled ride sharing or a taxi/Uber/Lyft service.
- Provide sleeping accommodations in your home.
- If you’re sober, take guests home yourself.
- Provide non-alcoholic beverage options.
If the weather people are right, and we do have inclement weather later this week, you may have forgotten how to navigate in the rain. Remember, our roads get slick when wet here in North Texas, and it’s harder to see as clouds block the sun or driving rain impedes vision, so slow down and stay alert. If pouring rain affects visibility, wind is high, or there is hail, pull over! It’s not worth taking risks of any kind.
Now to the end of Daylight Saving Time. First, as already mentioned, afternoon commutes will be taking place as skies darken for the night. Evening light can sometimes be the most treacherous, as shadows appear making objects less distinguishable. Turn on your headlights as soon as daylight begins to fade, and drive extra cautiously. And don’t make the mistake of thinking that gaining an hour will make us all more rested and alert. The fall time change can negatively affect us just as much as losing an hour in the spring. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that it may take a while for our internal clocks to adjust, so we all may be extra tired and sluggish for a week or two. Be aware of how you are adjusting, and consider the following suggestions to help you navigate through the time change:
- Minimize how much light you’re exposed to from phones, laptops, and TV at night, as artificial light can wreak havoc with your circadian rhythm and, consequently, your sleep.
- Avoid heavy meals, coffee, and alcohol right before going to bed.
- Take naps as needed until your body completely adjusts to the time switch.
And always remember, if you are in a crash, come to the Accident & Injury clinic nearest you, where we’ll give you the Pro Treatment, and get you back to your life in no time!