Tricks, treats and traffic safety
Oct. 29, 2026
By Lauren Macias-Cervantes
El Paso, Texas — Trick-or-Treaters and families across Texas participating in outdoor fall activities are armed with potentially life-saving advice this spooky season.
TxDOT’s El Paso District, like others across the state, combined seasonal outreach with practical safety education. Through community events and hands-on demonstrations, October activities helped equip families with the tools and knowledge needed to make safe choices on the road and how to stay safe while enjoying Halloween festivities.
“As Halloween approaches, we increase our pedestrian safety messaging by participating in community trunk-or-treats, fall fairs, and outdoor family activities to ensure people aren’t only thinking about candy and costumes, but also have safety top of mind,” said Stephanie Carbajal-Atilano, a TxDOT traffic safety specialist in El Paso.
Events such as National Night Out, Red Ribbon events, and Trunk or Treats brought traffic safety directly to the community. Outreach teams shared tips with children and parents on pedestrian and bicycle safety, emphasizing the importance of staying visible after dark, using sidewalks and crosswalks, and remaining alert around traffic during Halloween festivities.
The efforts are of utmost importance this time of year. With Halloween bringing more people outside after dark and the end of daylight saving time making evenings darker, October and November are the two months when pedestrian crashes are most likely to happen in Texas.
October school outreach efforts helped students and families build safer habits while preparing for a fun and safe Halloween season. Through interactive presentations and community partnerships, students also learned how everyday choices can help prevent crashes and save lives.
Throughout October, outreach efforts reinforced the importance of making safe choices on the road for drivers and passengers of all ages. Car seat inspections helped parents and caregivers ensure children were properly restrained, while a rollover convincer demonstration provided a powerful reminder of the lifesaving value of seat belts.
The safety messages extended to local high schools during National Teen Driver Safety Week, where students learned about impaired and distracted driving, pedestrian safety, and responsible decision-making, encouraging them to stay focused and make smart choices behind the wheel.
Those safety lessons become especially important during Halloween, when neighborhoods see an increase in pedestrian activity and families gather for seasonal celebrations.
Whether you're searching for the perfect pumpkin at a local patch or helping little ghosts and superheroes fill their candy buckets, Halloween is a favorite tradition for many families. With more children and pedestrians out after dark, a little extra caution can go a long way.
The El Paso Police Department is one of hundreds of municipal law enforcement entities across the state reminding everyone to do their part for the popular holiday.
“Make sure you wear a visible costume that does not obstruct your vision or affect your mobility; you stay in your group and make sure that you cross at an intersection. A flashlight and glowsticks are also a good idea,” said El Paso Police Department Detective Judy Oviedo. “For those that are driving, make sure you slow down in residential areas and make sure that you keep your phones put away and you are not distracted. You also want to be extra careful backing out of driveways.”
