Trick-or-treaters could cop a $2000 fine for common Halloween act

Taking your kids out on Halloween? Make sure you follow this little-known rule of the road.

If you’re planning to drive your kids to a Halloween party or to an especially choice surburb known for good trick-or-treating, leave your costume at home.

Or at least the mask, because driving with a mask or even heavy make-up could cost you $2000.

Yep, we didn’t know either.

That’s because anything that impedes your vision, or restricts your movement – whether it’s a sheet draped over your head or a Pennywise clown mask – makes driving dangerous.

“Australian laws are explicit about driving safely, even at Halloween,” Dominic Wyatt of the International Drivers Association said.

“Wearing a mask or heavy costume while driving can get you fined.”

That means you should leave the zombie costume to the kids.

“Impaired vision or restricted movement can dangerously affect your driving ability, leading to potential accidents,” he said.

“So besides risking fines, you are also putting yourself and other road users at risk.”

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Trick-or-treaters should be briefed about safety rules before going out. Photo: iStock

How to avoid road fines at Halloween

If you’re not sure of the ins and outs of road safety laws, Mr Wyatt says err on the side of common sense.

The International Drivers Association shared some guidelines for safe driving on Halloween.

• If your costume includes a mask, take it off while driving.
• Limit heavy makeup. Anything that could impede your vision should be avoided.
• Be aware of your costume’s size. If it restricts movement or blocks your view of the road, it’s a no-go.
• Change into your costume at the venue, instead of driving in it.

RELATED: ‘I’m worried my 6-year-old’s Halloween costume will scare other kids’

How to keep kids safe on Halloween

While our Northern Hemisphere cousins are trick-or-treating in the dark and possibly rain or even snow (true story: I grew up wearing heavy winter coats under my Halloween costumes) Australians have the benefit of daylight when our kids are out darting from house to house and often zig-zagging across the street.

But it’s still important that kids follow basic safety rules when trick-or-treating.

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Safety while trick-or-treating

Before excitement takes over, brief your trick-or-treating crew on the plan for staying safe.

• Kids should walk rather than run from house to house
• Remind kids to look out for cars when crossing the road or driveways
• Stay on footpaths and cross at corners or zebra crossings rather than darting from between cars
• Wearing bright costumes and adding reflective elements helps kids stay more visible
• Avoid letting kids wear costumes that make it hard to see, such as masks
• Kids should keep their mobiles in their pockets so they have their attention on where they’re walking
• If you plan to drive anywhere, make sure your little one’s costume isn’t so thick it creates a lot of slack in their carseat harness

Originally published as Trick-or-treaters could cop a $2000 fine for common Halloween act