Drive with caution

While Hallowe'en is one of the most festive nights of the year for children it also ranks among the most dangerous for young pedestrians. To help promote safety on this spooky and fun filled evening, there are steps that motorists should take to prevent unwanted scares on the road.

By performing a quick check of your vehicle and taking extra precautions when driving through neighborhoods, you can help make sure any frights are reserved for the holiday, not for the road, according to representatives from the Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, through its Be Car Care Aware (BCCA) program.

"By practicing cautious driving and performing regular vehicle maintenance, we can help keep everyone safe this Hallowe'en," said Marc Brazeau, President and CEO, AIA Canada. "Be sure to check your vehicle's safety items and remind children of basic safety rules before heading out trick-or-treating."

Over 64 percent of surveyed Canadians say that vehicle servicing is important to them to protect their family's safety, according to DesRosiers' 2013 Light Vehicle Study. With that in mind, below are some driving and vehicle maintenance tips that can help promote safety and ward off any scares for motorists this Hallowe'en:

Check your lights. Replace any burnt out signal lights or headlights straight away. Properly functioning lights are critical for spotting the ghouls and goblins that will be roaming your neighbourhood this Hallowe'en, and for overall road safety.

Drive slowly and abide by the speed limit. Drivers should slow down in neighborhoods and be on high alert for children crossing streets or emerging from between parked cars.

Check your brakes. Your brake system is the most vital safety component of your vehicle as it allows you to stop to avoid collision. Check that your brakes are in good working order in the event that you need to make a quick stop. Overly excited trick-or-treaters may not always look both ways before crossing the street!

Check your tires. Worn tires lose their ability to grip the road in adverse conditions. Stopping on wet roads can take up to four times the normal distance of stopping on dry roads. Drivers should check their tire inflation pressure as well as tread depth and wear at least once per month to ensure their tires are gripping the road properly.

Check your horn. Honk, honk! Make sure your horn is working in the event that you need to alert other drivers or pedestrians of danger, or get their attention (and to ward off monsters).

Get a vehicle check-up. Regular maintenance is the best form of prevention for breakdowns. Bring your vehicle to an auto repair shop or qualified mechanic this Hallowe'en for a check-up to make sure your vehicle is prepared for the colder months that lie ahead.

For more tips on how to improve the safety of your vehicle, you can visit: www.BeCarCareAware.ca