MOTORISTS could face a fine if they drive whilst wearing a Halloween costume.
While there’s nothing wrong with dressing up for Halloween, all that changes when you’re behind the wheel of a car.
Halloween takes place every year on October 31.
Although there is no law against driving with a costume on, motorists could get a ticket if there outfit obscures there vision.
Traffic fines range from $14 to up $120.
To avoid potential issues while driving in a costume, police officers and traffic safety experts recommend drivers take precautions before getting behind the wheel.
They advice changing into your Halloween costume once you’ve arrived at party or event.
If you do decide to drive in fancy dress, and you have a mask, make sure you don’t drive with this on.
This could be seen as not driving with due care and attention and you could get a ticket.
Think twice
Think about how your costume might limit how you can move in your car and react to hazards.
Gloves could make your grip significantly looser on the steering wheel.
Coloured contact lenses, tinted glasses and scary masks are popular at Halloween.
But if you can’t see the road properly, especially if driving at night, you could be endangering yourself and other road users.
All drivers must be able to read a vehicle number plate, in good daylight, from a distance of 20 metres.
Also when driving at night or in poor visibility, drivers shouldn’t use tinted glasses, lenses or visors if they restrict their vision.
It could result in a charge for failure to have proper control of the vehicle or full view of the road and traffic ahead.
Drivers could be fined for driving while wearing a Halloween costume for a number of reasons[/caption]
You could spook other drivers
While you might love Halloween, other drivers might not be expecting to see someone in a Scream mask or a driver covered in fake flood behind the wheel.
The same goes for decorating your car this Halloween — it could be another expensive mistake.
Spooking another driver could be deemed distracting and considered careless and inconsiderate driving.
In the most extreme cases, it could be you getting a fright from the judge when they hand you an unlimited fine, a discretionary disqualification and up to nine points on your licence.
Trick or treat
Some trick-or-treaters will be out looking for mischief at Halloween.
Drivers need to be extra cautious to avoid engaging in any splashing of trick-or-treaters — or any other pedestrian — this Halloween.
This is classed as driving “without reasonable consideration for other persons”.
What defines ‘distracted driving’?
Distracted driving claims lives every year nationwide, and it’s 100% preventable
However, many drivers assume that distracted driving is limited to using their phone while behind the wheel.
While using a phone to text, call, send emails, scroll through or post to social media, and make or accept video calls is illegal nationwide, other behaviors can be just as distracting – and dangerous.
Other behaviors that distract drivers:
- Adjusting the radio or GPS
- Applying makeup in visor mirrors
- Eating and drinking, as it takes one or both hands from the wheel
- Reaching into the backseat to grab personal items
- Rummaging through a purse, glove box, or center console
Thankfully, driving distracted can be prevented. Here are some proven tactics to stay focused:
- Put your phone in “Do Not Disturb” or “Driving Mode,” as it temporarily pauses notifications, but will push a call or text through if urgent
- If distraction is difficult to avoid, put the phone in a safe place, like a purse, glove box, center console, or back seat
- If a text message or call needs to be sent or made, pull over and park
- Give the phone to a passenger when applicable to send a text or make a call
- Be a role model – practicing safe driving in front of impressionable passengers helps pass along safe behaviors
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Connecticut Department of Transportation
