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Halloween Driving Safety Tips

It’s almost Halloween, a day of fun, laughter, costumes, and even a little fright.  Because of the increased foot traffic from Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween night, the potential for automobile related accidents involving young pedestrians increases nearly four times. Per the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), from 1990 to 2010, 115 pedestrians under the age of 18 were killed on October 31. Which comes to an average of 5.5 deaths each Halloween, compared to an average of 2.6 on other days.Virginia Auto Service AZ Blog: Halloween Driving Safety Tips

There are several reasons for the increase in accidents on Halloween; excited children not watching where they walk, intoxication, distractions, unable to see dark costumes in dark areas and so on. Safety isn’t solely in the hands of the drivers on Halloween. It takes effort from drivers, parents and trick-or-treaters alike.

Drivers

  • Slow down and obey traffic signals and signs- This is especially important in residential areas. Drive at least five mph below the speed limit to allow yourself time to react to children that may dart into the street.
  • Don’t pass stopped vehicles- You don’t know if anyone may end up crossing the road in front of you.
  • Keep a vigilant eye out for children- In dark costumes, they’ll be harder to see at night. Kids can cross the street anywhere, and most young pedestrian deaths happen at spots other than intersections. Broaden your scanning by looking for children left and right into yards and front porches.
  • Yield to pedestrians- Children might not stop before crossing the road, either because they don’t see your vehicle approaching or don’t know how to safely cross the street. They may cross the street mid-block or between parked cars.
  • Move slowly and carefully when you enter and exit alleys and driveways.
  • Make yourself more visible- keep your headlights on, even in the day time, to make it more obvious that you are coming.
  • Avoid distractions– Keep your phone put away or off when driving.
  • Use turn signals- Communication with other drivers and pedestrians is always important, but even more so on nights like Halloween. If you must pull over to pick up or drop off your kids, use your hazard lights.Virginia Auto Service AZ Blog: Halloween Driving Safety Tips

Parents

  • Go over traffic safety with kids– Remind them how to safely cross the street, by looking both ways and only crossing at corners and crosswalks.
  • Keep children supervised– An adult or older, responsible youth can supervise children under the age of 12.
  • Plan ahead– Plan a route for your trick-or-treaters to follow and stick to. Tell your children to travel only in familiar areas along your established routes. Establish a time to for children to get home.
  • Keep it bright- Tell children to keep to well-lit areas as much as possible and to only stop at well-lit houses. Make sure they know to never enter a stranger’s home or garage. Also, give them flashlights and/or glow sticks or put reflective tape on their costumes to make them more visible to drivers.

Trick-or-Treaters

  • Follow directions and safety precautions set by your parents. They are trying to keep you safe.
  • Stay bright at night- Keep retro-reflective tape on costumes and treat bags/buckets to improve visibility to motorists and others.
  • Keep vision unobstructed- Costumes shouldn’t obstruct vision.
  • Don’t trip- Watch the length of billowy costumes to avoid tripping. Also, make sure any props don’t cause you to trip and if you do, make sure they are flexible and blunt-tipped to avoid injury.
  • Carry a flashlight- Make sure the batteries are fresh. Place it in a treat bucket face down to keep one hand free. Never shine the light into the eyes of drivers.
  • Stay on the sidewalks and avoid walking in the streets as much as possible. If there aren’t any sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
  • Follow traffic safety guidelines- Look both ways and listen for traffic before you cross the street. Only cross the street at corners and cross walks, and never cross between parked vehicles or mid-block.
  • If they aren’t with you, make sure your parents know where you are going and stay in a group.Virginia Auto Service AZ Blog: Halloween Driving Safety Tips

We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween!

Filed Under: Driving Tips, Road Safety Tagged With: Driving Safety on Halloween, Halloween, Halloween Safety

15 Fall Festivals, Corn Mazes, and Haunted Houses Near Phoenix, AZ

Temperatures are beginning to drop, and the feeling of fall is in the air. In Arizona, that means a lot of fun is just beginning! See our list of fall fun that can be had this year in the weeks leading up to Halloween.

Virginia Auto Service AZ Blog: 15 Fall Festivals, Corn Mazes, and Haunted Houses Near Phoenix, AZ

Festivals and Family Fun

  1. Chile Pepper Festival

Presented by Roosevelt Row Community Development Corp., highlights restaurateurs offering Chile pepper-based cuisine. There is also music, cooking demonstrations, kids’ activities, and a talent show.

Details: Saturday, October 1, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Second and Roosevelt streets, Phoenix. Free admission (online registration encouraged to guarantee admission). Tasting tickets: $2 or 12 for $20; beer and margarita tokens $5 or 5 for $20.

  1. SanTan Brewing Oktoberfest

Fans of polka music, German food, and craft beer will don their lederhosen and dirndls and gather in Downtown Chandler Saturday, October 1st, to celebrate SanTan Brewing’s 9th annual Oktoberfest. Leading the entertainment lineup includes Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, Reel Big Fish and other local acts.

Details: Saturday, October 1, 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM. AJ Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave. $10 presale at Bashas’; $12 presale online; $15 day of the event.

  1. Pioneer Harvest Festival

A pumpkin patch, hayrides, gold panning, pumpkin painting, food, and live music is only a hint of what you can expect at Harvest Fest 2016! Every family gets a free pumpkin.

Details: Every Saturday and Sunday of October, starting October 15, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Pioneer Living History Museum, 3901 W. Pioneer Road, Phoenix. $10 adults, $8 children, free for children under 2 years. Discounts online.

  1. Vertuccio Farms Corn Maze and Fall Festival

Admission includes a 7-acre corn maze, mini hay maze, one barrel train ride, and one tractor train ride. Families can also enjoy the petting zoo, duck races, and a giant jump pad. Marked pumpkins for sale are priced by size and variety. Hay bales and corn stalks are also available to buy.

Details: October 1-November 6, 9:00 Am.- 9:00 PM. Monday -Thursday; 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Friday-Saturday; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday. Vertuccio Farms, 4011 S. Power Road, Mesa. Pricing: $9 per person ages 2 & younger free. Season passes are available for $25.

  1. Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party

Enjoy the fresh farm air during the annual Pumpkin and Chili Party. Every Thursday through Sunday this October, families can enjoy hayrides, a petting zoo, corn mazes, and dog shows. Gypsy Time Travelers, a storytelling husband and wife duo, will be performing at the festival for the first time this season. The party also includes amusement rides, a rock-climbing wall, and marshmallow roasting. Train and pony rides, food and pumpkins are available for an extra cost.

Details: October 1-30, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursdays and Sundays; 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Fridays and Saturdays. Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. $18 at the farm; $15 at Fry’s Food Stores.

  1. Tolmachoff Farms Pumpkin Days and Corn Maze

Make it an unforgettable fall season this year at Tolmachoff Farms. Let the memories begin and experience the ultimate holiday outing where there is something for the whole family: Great big pumpkin patch, 6-acre family corn maze with a new theme every year, mini corn maze (perfect for the little ones), haunted corn maze (Do you have the courage to enter?). Other activities: petting zoo, train ride, hay pyramid, corn box, adult/child pedal cart track, jumping pillow, and much more.

Details: October 1- November 6, Closed Mondays. Noon – 8:00 PM Tuesday-Thursday; noon – 11:00 PM Friday; 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday; 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday. Tolmachoff Farms 5726 N. 75th Ave, Glendale. $10.00 each age 2 & up.

  1. The Arizona State Fair

The Arizona State Fair first appeared in 1884 and has been operating for 132 years.  Head out for family entertainment, animals, food, rides, top-notch concerts, exhibits, motorized events, rodeo, and more.

Details: October 7-30. Noon – 9:00 PM Wednesdays and Thursdays; noon – 10:00 PM Fridays; 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Saturdays; 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sundays. Arizona State Fair Ground, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. Admission is $10 adults; $5 children ages 5-13 and seniors.

  1. 15th Annual Great Pumpkin Festival

At the Desert Botanical Garden, one of the Valley’s favorite places to find that special pumpkin, take an authentic hayride out to the Garden’s pumpkin patch, where each day children 12 and under can choose their own free pumpkin. Attempt the hay bale maze, decorate your pumpkin, and visit the Community Garden to see how pumpkins and vegetables grow. Test your skills on carnival-style games, dance to folk, country and bluegrass music, and meet adorable farm animals.

Details:  October 21-23, Friday 8:30 AM-noon; Saturday and Sunday 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Desert Botanical Garden 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix. Children under 3 are free, the event is included with regular Garden admission.

  1. 5th Annual Dia de los Muertos Phoenix

Families are invited to come and participate in the Dia de Los Muertos Festivals. Masked entertainers and musicians will entertain with performances in music, dance, and theater to honor our ancestors and celebrate our heritage and traditions. A gathering of artists and families.

Details: October 23, Noon – 6:00 PM. Steele Indian School Park Memorial Hall, 300 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. Free admission.

  1. Howl-O-Ween at the Phoenix Zoo

Howl-O-Ween includes activities and experiences for the whole family. Looking for scary tricks? SCARY activities are for guests eight years and older who like a good scare! Does sweet treat more your style? MERRY activities are appropriate for all ages. Enjoy character meet-and-greets, magic shows, carnival games, the trick-or-treat trail and so much more.

Details: October 28 and 29, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM. Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. Tickets: $10 Member; $12 General; Kids 2 and under are free.

 

Haunted Houses

  1. Arizona Field of Screams

AZ Field of Screams is a haunted corn maze. Dare to enter this corn field planted over an old cemetery– watch out for the living dead. You’re walking through a quiet, dark cornfield, anticipating every second that danger is lurking around the next corner… you walk quietly and suddenly wonder if you are the only ones out there, “where AM I?” SHUUUUSHHH … then a blood-curdling scream in the distance reminding you … they are out there … waiting… for YOU … it’s not IF they will get you … it’s WHEN will they get you … and your brain is screaming RUN! … But where do you run? ….. They are waiting for you …

Details: October 1 – 31 every Friday and Saturday from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM. Tolmachoff Farms, 5726 N. 75th Ave. Glendale. $17 each, any age. Not recommended for those under the age of 10. Anyone aged 15 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.

  1. The Crypt Haunted Attraction

One of Arizona’s longest-running Haunted Houses, the Crypt and Asylum return with all new SCARES to torment those who dare enter! Three attractions at one location, The Asylum, Chaos, and the Crypt.

Details: September 30 – October 31, Times vary by date, check webpage. Fiesta Mall parking lot, 1445 W. Southern Ave, Mesa. Ultimate Fright Pass: $25, both Haunted Houses + Maze; Single Haunted House: $18; CHAOS MAZE Only: $5.

  1. Sanctum of Horror

This year Sanctum of Horror introduces The Breach so scare searchers can visit two haunts at one location. For 7 years, the Sanctum of Horror has been scaring the East Valley with breathtaking make up and incredible detail that will surely frighten the soul. Not only will you be terrified, but be immersed in the Sanctum’s world. Will you have what it takes to enter?

Details: September 30 – October 31, check the website for specific days and times. Superstition Springs Center, 6555 East Southern Avenue, Mesa. A ticket to both haunts is $22; a ticket to each individual haunt is $15.

  1. Fear Farm

Fear Farm is the largest outdoor haunted attraction in the valley.  30 acres of pure terror, consisting of 5 indoor/outdoor haunted attractions (Slaughterhouse, Undead, The Bunker, Mouth of Madness, and Legends: Goatman), and for the faint of heart they offer a 10-acre corn maze. New for 2016, Fear Farm brings you the all-new Phoenix Haunted Hayride.  Guests won’t have to travel far to leave the city lights behind and enjoy this ominous oasis of the desert, the Valley’s only outdoor Halloween experience with attractions for the whole family. This Halloween season, Fear Farms promises to become your family’s newest and most frightening fall tradition: Come for the fun, stay for the fear. Make a night of it.

Details: September 30 – October 31, days, times, and admission vary. Check the website for more information. Fear Farm Haunted Attraction, 2209 N. 99th Avenue, Phoenix.

  1. The 13th Floor

In most buildings, the 13th Floor does not exist. This Halloween Season, explores the legend of the 13th Floor at one of the most horrifying haunted house experiences ever, the 13th Floor Haunted House! The world-famous 13th Floor is back in Phoenix for the 2016 Halloween Season! Created by nationally recognized and award-winning haunted house designers, the 13th Floor will transport you to new levels of horror. Prepare to be terrified by two epic haunted attraction walkthroughs for one all-inclusive price: “The Deadhouse” and “The Frenzy.” The 13th Floor is an intense, graphic, theatrical show that will take you on a gut-wrenching ride of visceral thrills and psychological horror. Sixty thousand square feet of shocking twists and horrifying turns are waiting for you at 13th Floor Haunted House!

Details: September 30 – November 12, days, times, and prices vary, visit the website for more information. 13th Floor Haunted House,2814 W. Bell Rd., Phoenix.

 

More fun fall festivities across Arizona can be found on the Visit Arizona webpage.

Filed Under: Just For Fun, Things To Do In Arizona Tagged With: Corn Mazes in Phoenix, Fall, Fall Festivals in Phoenix, Fall in Phoenix, Halloween, Halloween in Phoenix, Haunted Houses in Phoenix, Phoenix Halloween

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Virginia Auto Service
Auto Repair Phoenix, AZ
386 E. Virginia Ave | Phoenix, AZ 85004
(On 7th Street between McDowell & Thomas)
Monday - Friday 7:30 AM- 6:00 PM
602-266-0200
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