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Halloween Driving "Tricks" to Keep Everyone Safe

Oct. 25 2024 Safety By McCandless Idealease

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As Halloween approaches, the excitement for costumes, trick-or-treating, and festive gatherings fills the air. However, amidst the fun, it's vital to prioritize safety for both the little ghouls and the adults on the road. From ensuring visibility for trick-or-treaters to practicing responsible driving, this Halloween can be enjoyed without incident. In this blog post, we'll share essential safety tips that everyone can follow to create a memorable and secure Halloween experience. Let’s make sure that the only thing we’re spooked by this season is a good scare, not an accident!

In this issue:

  • November 3rd-9th is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week
  • What You Can Do to Stay Alert While Driving
  • Did You Know That There is a Federal Regulation that Addresses Passengers in a Commercial Motor Vehicle
  • Registration Open for the 2024 Idealease/NPTC Safety Seminars!

To ensure that everyone enjoys Halloween with sweet treats rather than unfortunate tragedies, consider these important safety tips for a secure evening:

Stay Focused on the Road: Concentration is key when driving. Even a momentary distraction can lead to serious consequences.

Mind Your Speed: Keep your vehicle's speed well below the posted limit to provide ample reaction time for unexpected situations.

Observe Sidewalks and Roadways: Be vigilant and watch for children who may dart into the street, especially in areas where parked cars may block your view.

Exercise Caution When Exiting Driveways: Always take extra care when pulling in and out of driveways, as children can appear unexpectedly.

Take Responsibility for Safety: Remember that children may not see you or be aware of their surroundings. It’s crucial to take the initiative to ensure their safety.

Check Your Vehicle’s Lights: Before hitting the road, make certain that all your vehicle's lights are functioning properly to enhance visibility.

Avoid Passing Stopped Vehicles: If you encounter a vehicle that has stopped on the roadway, do not pass it. They may be dropping off little ghouls and goblins.

Use Hazard Lights When Necessary: If you're dropping off a group of children while remaining in a parked car, activate your hazard lights to warn other drivers of your presence.

Save the Costume for After Parking: If you're heading to a Halloween party, wait until you've parked your car to don your mask or costume to avoid any visibility issues while driving.

To ensure a fun and safe Halloween for everyone, we can all do our part. Here are some tips for parents:

  • Equip children with flashlights or glow sticks so drivers can see them better. Choose bright, reflective clothing or add reflective tape to their costumes.
  • Opt for makeup instead of masks to ensure kids have a clear view of their surroundings.
  • Teach children how to safely cross the street: they should look left, right, and left again before stepping off the curb.
  • Encourage kids to stay on sidewalks and cross only at corners or designated crosswalks.
  • Always accompany your children while they’re out trick-or-treating.

Safely getting in or out of a Commercial Motor Vehicle

Now is a good time to remind drivers to follow the 3-Point Rule when getting in and out of their trucks. During the winter months, footing conditions can be compromised, increasing the chance of slipping or falling. The 3-Point Rule simply states that you should keep three out of four of your contact points (hands and feet) secured to prevent slipping or falling. For example, when exiting a truck, one hand should be on the cab handle, one hand gripping the interior door handle, and one foot on a step while the other foot is in transition. By doing this, you always maintain three points of contact.

November 3rd-9th is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week

The National Sleep Foundation has launched Drowsy Driving Prevention Week to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while fatigued. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving leads to around 100,000 police-reported crashes and over 1,550 fatalities each year in the U.S.

While all states have strict laws against drunk driving, few address drowsy driving. New Jersey is unique in explicitly defining drowsy driving as recklessness under its vehicular homicide statute, known as “Maggie’s Law.” This law has significantly increased awareness and prompted legislative initiatives in at least eight other states, with twelve pending bills aimed at combating fatigued driving.

For more information on Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, visit  www.thensf.org/drowsy-driving-prevention

Tips for Staying Alert While Driving

Sleep and Naps: Ensure you get sufficient sleep each day. If you need to stay up late, a quick afternoon nap can help you recharge. If you start feeling drowsy while driving, taking a 15-minute nap in a safe location can be very beneficial.

Caffeine: It's best to avoid caffeine during the latter half of your workday, as it can affect your sleep later. Though coffee or other caffeinated drinks might give you a temporary boost while driving, it typically takes about 30 minutes to kick in and the effects fade after a few hours.

Regular Breaks: Make sure to stop every 100 miles or every 2 hours. If possible, switch drivers to help combat fatigue.

AC Settings: Avoid running the AC on MAX or Recirculation for long periods, as this can raise CO₂ levels in the vehicle, leading to drowsiness.

Alcohol: Absolutely refrain from driving if you’ve been drinking. Beyond being illegal, alcohol induces sleepiness and worsens fatigue.

If you’re preparing for a long journey, consider the following suggestions from AAA to prevent fatigue:

  • Get a good night's sleep before your trip.
  • Plan to drive when you're typically awake.
  • If possible, opt for an overnight stay rather than driving non-stop.
  • Avoid driving during your natural "down time," usually in the afternoon or between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
  • Engage your passengers in conversation to help you stay alert; they can also help spot any signs of drowsiness.
  • Schedule a break every 2 hours or 100 miles to stretch, walk around, or nap before continuing.
  • If you notice any signs of sleepiness, make sure to stop sooner.

Ineffective Methods: Common tricks like opening the window, cranking up the air conditioning, or blasting loud music are not reliable ways to stay alert for extended periods.

Time to Fall Back...Daylight Savings Time Change in Two Weeks!

On Sunday, November 3, at 2:00 a.m., we will “fall back” for daylight saving time. It’s important to remind everyone driving to keep this change in mind. Since the daylight hours will shift, drivers may face different challenges depending on their stops. How the sun is positioned can change how bright or dark it is at specific intersections or streets. This one-hour difference can affect a driver’s ability to see, so being cautious is key.

Did You Know that there is a Federal Regulation that Addresses Passengers in a Commercial Motor Vehicle?

Unauthorized Passengers: A Clear Guide

CFR 392.60 Unauthorized Passengers: Who Can Ride?

When it comes to transporting individuals in a commercial motor vehicle, clear rules are essential. Unless you have written permission from the motor carrier in charge, it's a no-go for unauthorized passengers—buses are the only exception!

If you do obtain authorization, make sure it includes specific details: the name of the person you're allowed to transport, where the journey starts and ends, and the expiration date of this permission.

Good news! You don’t need any written authorization in two special cases:

  • Employees or Assigned Personnel: If they’re part of the team or assigned by the motor carrier, they can ride along without any fuss.
  • Emergency Assistance: In situations where help is needed—like an accident—you can transport someone without prior approval.

Stay informed and keep your journeys safe and compliant!

*The Idealease Safety Bulletin is provided for Idealease locations and their customers and is not to be construed as a complete or exhaustive source of compliance or safety information. The Idealease Safety Bulletin is advisory in nature and does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise certify compliance with laws, regulations, requirements, or guidelines of any local, state, or Federal agency and/or governing body, or industry standards.