Avoid a scare this Halloween – slow down for little ghouls

• Research from the USA shows that children are three times more likely to be hit by a driver on Halloween than on any other day of the year

• Darker afternoons mean it’s likely to be harder for drivers to spot youngsters out on the streets

• GEM urges drivers to keep a watchful eye out for junior ghosts, ghouls and witches

We're encouraging drivers and trick-or-treaters to take extra care on any Halloween excursions this Thursday night. The clocks have gone back, meaning darkness will fall much earlier, increasing the risks for anyone using the roads.

Research from the USA, where trick-or-treating has been big business for decades, shows that children are three times more likely to be hit by a driver on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Moreover, more children die from car crashes on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

Darker afternoons mean it’s likely to be harder for drivers to spot youngsters out on the streets, as well as other hazards, says GEM.

GEM head of road safety James Luckhurst says: “Come rain or shine, you can be sure there will be youngsters trick-or-treating on Thursday. We’re urging drivers to be on the look-out for children in dark costumes, some without adult supervision. Their interest in collecting chocolate and sweets is likely to take priority over their road safety considerations.

“Let’s assume we’ll be sharing the road with the occasional junior ghost, ghoul or witch – and keep a watchful eye out for them.

“As drivers, most of the information we need for safety comes from what we see. Anticipating the presence of trick-or-treaters will mean we’re doing our bit to reduce risk for everyone around us.”

Top tips for a safer Halloween on the road

GEM has assembled a selection of tips to help drivers reduce collisions for Halloween and throughout the coming weeks as the afternoons get darker:

• Expect children to step into the street unexpectedly. Slow down and be prepared to stop.

• Stay focused on the road 100 per cent of the time. Avoid all distractions, however short or minor they may seem.

• Remove steam, mist condensation, dirt and ice from lights, windows and mirrors.

• In foggy or wet conditions, slow down and used dipped headlights.

Be ready for the effects of glare from low winter sun, which can reduce visibility. In some circumstances, especially in the late afternoon, glare can leave you with no forward vision at all. Reflected glare from wet roads can also seriously compromise what you’re able to see.

Don’t delay switching on your lights. Even if your view of the road ahead is good, you may be much less visible to other road users, especially if you drive a dark-coloured vehicle.

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