Last-Minute Halloween Ideas for Drivers
Spooky season is upon us! And as a private hire driver in their car, you might be wondering how you can get involved.
No tricks here, only treats! So read on for some fun last-minute Halloween ideas for drivers.
A Quick History of Halloween
Halloween’s roots can be traced back to ancient Celtic times, and the folk festival of Samhain. People celebrated the end of the harvest and welcomed Winter.
During this time, the veil between the alive and the dead would be gone, allowing those who had passed to cross into our world.
When Romans brought Christianity to the British Isles, many folk traditions were lost or replaced, including Samhain. All Hallows Eve or All Saints Day were observed instead as a day to remember those who had died for their beliefs.
In Mexico, a blend of ancient Aztec custom and Spanish All Soul’s Day birthed the Day of the Dead. Festival goers believe that between November 1-2, their ancestors return to the land of the living as esteemed guests.
In modern times, Halloween is a more commercial affair. The scare might have faded, but the fun remains – there are costumes, makeup, scare events, and trick-or-treating for the little ones. Halloween is the perfect time to let loose and be silly with your family, and have some sweet treats along the way!
The Dangers of Halloween Costumes and Driving
Here we’ll be answering some common questions that you might have as a driver. If you’re thinking of taking part in festivities, it’s incredibly important to
a) Read the room (or the car). If your passenger looks like they’re not into Halloween, respect their wishes. Remain professional and courteous.
b) Stay safe! Don’t get distracted, stay alert and be especially careful in urban areas where there’ll be lots of sugar-hyped children around.
Is it illegal to wear a costume when driving?
The simple answer is yes.
In 2021, Wales Online reported that drivers could face a £5,000 fine, penalty points on their license and a potential driving ban if they get behind the wheel in costume and cause a major incident.
Any clothing that affects your driving could land you in hot water, so make sure your costume allows you to move and doesn’t get in the way of pedals, gear sticks and steering wheels. This includes costumes with long skirts, clown-sized shoes or stilettos.
Also, leave the gloves at home. They could impact your grip on the steering wheel meaning you’re not in control.
Can I wear a mask when driving?
If it’s a Halloween mask, this is an absolute no. For one thing, passengers need the safety of being able to see your face when they enter your vehicle.
Security and speed cameras also need to see your face, as well as police officers.
But most importantly, masks could hang in front of your eyes and block your view of the road, potentially leading to disaster. If caught, you’ll face an on-the-spot -fine of £100 and penalty points.
As an alternative, why not decorate a face mask, like those we had during covid? A simple smile with a couple of vampire teeth could be all the fun effect you need! Plus, it could protect you from germs as we get into the colder months.
What about contact lenses?
We don’t mean your regular prescription contact lenses. There are hundreds of different style of lens, from coloured to shapes – like a goat’s eye!
However, these fashionable lenses should be left at home. Any item obscuring your vision is dangerous and should be avoided.
Simple Last-Minute Halloween Ideas for Drivers
While it’s best to leave the full Dracula costume at home, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring some spooky to your drive.
- Have some sweets ready for your passengers. You can either hand them out when they reach their destination or grab a cheap Halloween-themed bucket and put some sweets in the back. Little details like this could also help boost your tips, so it’s well worth doing.
- Though Halloween masks are a no-no, some light makeup can be very effective. Try some smudged black eyeliner for an edgier look that doesn’t obscure your face. Or perhaps some comical Dracula teeth for a super simple costume idea.
- Create a spooky mood with a Halloween playlist! Spotify has some great playlist options, so don’t be afraid to get those bones moving – safely.
In Closing
Halloween has been with us for a very long time. But in modern times, Halloween on the road can be fraught with danger.
From trick-or-treaters running around in dark costumes making them difficult to see, to drunk passengers in costume rolling around on the backseat being a distraction. These can all lead to careless driving.
But there is fun to be had this season, and we hope these last-minute Halloween ideas for drivers have sparked some inspiration.
The most important rule is Don’t Dress and Drive. Wear a spooky T-shirt or jumper – supermarkets like Tesco and ASDA have some fantastic options.
If you want to use makeup, be sure you’re not concealing your identity and people can still see your face. Frankenstein’s monster may scare the kids, but you don’t want to scare your passengers too!
Treats like sweets and chocolates in the back can go a long way to making your passenger feel special, and a Halloween playlist can help set the mood.
Keep safe out there, and enjoy the Halloween season!
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