Boyd's Blog

• Make sure your windshield is clean and clear, including the inside of the glass. Visibility is absolutely vital, especially when some of the little monsters, ghouls and goblins might be dressed entirely in black. 

• Have you had your brakes checked lately? Does it have a good, firm pedal, or does the pedal travel farther than it used to before the brakes engage? Are you hearing any weird noises when you step on the brakes? You shouldn’t ever neglect this essential auto repair item, but especially not at Halloween!

• Check your windshield wipers…they shouldn’t be dried-out, cracked, chipped or torn. The sun’s UV rays and normal wear will take their toll on even the best wipers; they typically need to be replaced once a year. This is an easy auto repair that can make a big difference in safety. While you’re checking the wipers, make sure there’s plenty of fluid in the windshield washer reservoir as well. 

• Check all your lights…are they all working? If your headlights’ plastic lenses are oxidized and yellowed from age, this would be a good time to have them restored. Many parents send their kids out to make the rounds at dusk, and visibility at dusk is almost just as poor as at nighttime. 

• Bear in mind that kids won’t always cross the street at crosswalks or street corners; the middle of the block is the most hazardous at Halloween

• If possible, try to pick an alternate route to your destination, one where trick-or-treaters are less likely to be around.

Boyd’s Tire & Service Center doesn’t want to cast a pall over this fun holiday, but here are some sobering facts: 

• Insurance stats show that Halloween is by far the deadliest day of the year for child-pedestrian accidents. The numbers are more than double the average for other days of the year. 

• 25% of Halloween accidents occur from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., with over 60% happening between 5:00 and 9:00.

• Kids ages 12-15 account for the biggest percentage of child fatalities, followed by children ages 5-8.