Everyday Driving Horrors That Are Scarier Than Halloween

Forget haunted houses. If you spend enough time behind the wheel, you will know that ordinary driving has its own collection of little horrors. The sort of moments that make you gasp, raise an eyebrow or question what on earth the person in the next car is doing.

With Halloween approaching, we have been thinking about the driving frights that need absolutely no ghosts or ghouls. Some are funny afterwards. Others are a good reminder that a little consideration goes a long way.

The mysterious passenger in the parked van

You are walking back to your car, glance at the van alongside it and spot what looks like a face staring out of the passenger window. Heart rate: instantly through the roof. Then you realise it is a Halloween mask somebody has left on the seat.

A harmless surprise, perhaps, but a useful reminder to stay focused when you are manoeuvring. Car parks are busy places, and unexpected sights or sounds can distract us. Look around carefully, move at a sensible speed and give yourself time to react.

The indicator that appears at the very last second

You have been following a car for half a mile. There is no sign it is about to turn. Then, just as the driver brakes and swings into a side road, the indicator finally makes an appearance.

Indicators are there to help other people understand what you intend to do. Signal in good time, make sure the signal will not mislead anyone, and remember that using an indicator does not automatically give you priority. The Highway Code is quite clear about the importance of communicating your intentions.

The two-space parking masterpiece

There is one space left at the supermarket. Or there would be, if the car next to it had not decided to occupy two bays. We have all seen that parking job.

Sometimes a tight space or an awkward vehicle makes parking difficult, but taking an extra moment to straighten up can make life easier for the next driver. It is especially important to keep accessible bays, walkways and entrances clear for the people who need them.

The Halloween surprise that really deserves your attention

On 31 October, residential streets may be busier than usual with families heading out in costumes. Excited children can be unpredictable, especially when they are moving between houses or crossing roads after dark.

Slow down where people are walking, pay particular attention near parked cars and driveways, and be ready to stop. Costumes are not always easy to see in low light. If you are taking little ones trick or treating, bright or reflective details and a torch can help other road users spot you.

The scariest reaction is sometimes our own

Someone cuts in, hesitates at a junction or takes forever to park. It is tempting to tut, gesture or let the frustration take over. But another driver’s mistake does not have to turn into a worse situation.

Leave enough space, stay patient and give people room to correct what they are doing. The Highway Code encourages drivers to be considerate and avoid becoming agitated when somebody else makes a mistake.

So what is your biggest driving fright?

A horror-film mask on the passenger seat? The indicator that arrives too late? The driver who thinks parking lines are optional? We would love to know which everyday motoring moment makes you shudder.

Join the conversation on ALA’s social channels on the run up to Halloween. And whether you are going out for Halloween or simply doing the usual weekly shop, keep your eyes on the road and leave the jump scares to the films.