MCDOT’s safety tips ahead of Halloween and Daylight Savings Time ending

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is encouraging residents to have a safe and fun Halloween ahead of a weekend that will bring increased pedestrian traffic to the streets, and an earlier sunset as Daylight Saving Time ends. 

The upcoming Halloween weekend is expected to bring increased pedestrian traffic to the roads on Friday, Oct. 31, as families celebrate with trick-or-treating. On Sunday, Nov. 2, Daylight Saving Time ends, with clocks moving back one hour. 

MCDOT reminds drivers to use extra caution when traveling during evening hours and consider staying off the roads altogether during trick-or-treat hours, particularly in residential neighborhoods. 

"I want to encourage all residents to do their part to keep our streets safe for trick-or-treaters,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “I am asking motorists to exercise extreme caution when driving, particularly through neighborhoods where children are likely to be out and about. We want residents to have fun and enjoy the festivities, but our priority is making sure everyone gets home safely."

Pedestrians and bicyclists account for more than one-third of roadway fatalities in Montgomery County this year. According to the Maryland Highway Safety Office’s fatal crash data, there have been 35 fatal crashes with 36 fatalities this year. These fatalities include 12 pedestrians and two bicyclists.  

“Halloween poses a higher risk for pedestrian crashes, and it’s every driver’s responsibility to ensure the safety of people walking and biking,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “If possible, avoid driving during trick-or-treat hours. If you must drive during this time, go slowly, stay alert, and be ready to stop suddenly. And if you’re going to celebrate with alcohol or drugs, plan ahead and arrange a sober ride home.  Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other time of year, according to the National Safety Council. Early sunsets reduce visibility, and dark costumes can make people harder to see.  No one wants to be part of a tragedy, so please use the extra caution that these circumstances demand if you are out and about on Halloween.” 

MCDOT offers these safety tips for drivers: 

• Avoid driving through neighborhoods during trick-or-treat hours. If you must drive, go slowly and be prepared to stop suddenly.
• Be very cautious when turning into driveways and backing out. 
• Children should carry glowsticks, flashlights or some reflective material on dark costumes to ensure they are seen.  
• If you see an impaired driver, dial 911 to report it.   

The Washington Region Alcohol Program’s (WRAP) SoberRide program will offer a limited number of codes for a FREE Lyft ride home (up to $15) from 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 until 4 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. The codes will be released to the public at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31 on the program website at wrap.org/soberride. 

MCDOT is partnering with the Montgomery County Public Libraries to sponsor two free, family-friendly daytime Halloween events featuring the Monster Flash bus, a Flash Bus Rapid Transit  bus decorated for Halloween.

• Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to noon. Monster Flash at Twinbrook Library's Multilingual Story Hour, Twinbrook Library, 202 Meadow Hall Drive, Rockville.  
• Saturday, Oct. 25, 2 to 4 p.m. Monster Flash at Germantown Library’s Bilingual Story Hour, Germantown Library, 19840 Century Boulevard, Germantown.  

MCDOT’s Monster Flash bus will also be at downtown Wheaton's Halloween celebration, HalloWheaton. 

• Sunday, Oct. 26, noon to 4 p.m. Monster Flash at HalloWheaton, Marian Fryer Town Plaza, 2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton. 

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot,