Halloween’s almost here. That means ghoulish festivities, the more outlandish the better. Dress yourself as a childhood fear or hero, conjure up some witchy refreshments, and let the gruesome games commence! Halloween gets wild and weird every October, but this year there’s a new trend stalking the streets: decorated cars. Yes, people are getting their rides in on the game.
And why not? Pop culture provides us with a goblin’s hoard of spooky cars: Christine, the Ghostbusters’ car, Death Proof, Maximum Overdrive, etc. The automobile has a rich horror history, making the costumed car an appropriate accessory to your haunting Halloween fun. Here are a few things you can do to keep you car costume a safe one.
Do: Use Bright Colors
Yes, black is the traditional horror hue, but remember: black is difficult to see at night. Don’t let one night’s fun tear down the life you have ahead of you. People will be running around on the streets, and many of those people will be kids. Stay visible. Lots of lighter colors scream Halloween: orange, white, red, etc. And anyway, if you’re going to go to the trouble of dressing up your car, you’re going to want people to see it.
Do: Get Creative
It’s Halloween. Don’t be dull. You want to make an impression. Review the classics of macabre movie cars. Plan ahead. Gather good ideas and spruce up your wheels. Cars are big, fast, and can roar like beasts. It won’t be hard to make your vehicle spooky. Hit up your local craft shop. Big teeth, bat decals, and spider webs all make for quick, creepy fun.
Do: Use Your Car as a Stationary Prop
If you want to go all out with your costume but don’t want to disturb your vision, consider leaving parked out front. Not driving will open up all kinds of horrific potentialities. You could turn your vehicle into big monster’s head, or put a scarecrow in the driver’s seat.
Don’t: Forget the Rules
The law never takes a holiday. Things may seem different on Halloween, but the law is the law. Don’t let costumes get you too worked up. A wild night can get dangerous real quick once you ignore the everyday things that keep the roads safe.
Don’t: Drink and Drive
If you need to drink, don’t drive. It’s a simple as that. People die every day in drunk driving accidents. Don’t be one of them. Don’t cause one of them. The scares of Halloween are for pretend. Alcohol can make the horrors all too real, and all too permanent. Keep Halloween safe and fun by staying sober. And if you can’t stay sober, get a cab.
Don’t: Cover Your Vision
If you’re going to dress your car up, keep the practicalities of driving in mind. A big green mask covering up your hood may look cool from the outside, but if it will get in your way, leave it at home. A costume should make things fun, not dangerous.
