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E-bikes account for a growing share of local incidents. Crews ask residents to slow down, light up and plan ahead.
VENTURA COUNTY — Halloween brings more children, pedestrians and riders onto streets after dark. To understand the risks, AMR Ventura County and Gold Coast Ambulance reviewed its call response data from previous years. Alongside routine medical calls, crews responded most frequently to traffic collisions, fall injuries, behavioral emergencies and suspected intoxication-related calls during this time of year.
“This year, Halloween falls on a Saturday, which typically means more people are expected to be out celebrating throughout the day and into the evening,” said Mike Sanders, AMR’s regional director for Ventura and Santa Barbara. “Halloween is always a busy night for first responders, but weekends can bring additional traffic, larger gatherings, and increased alcohol and substance use, making it important for residents to plan ahead and celebrate responsibly.”
E-bike incidents are also a growing concern. According to the Ventura County E-Bike Dashboard, e-bike-related incidents accounted for 24.12% of all incidents in 2025, compared with 33.85% so far in 2026 (through Oct. 2). With e-bikes making up an increasing share of incidents in Ventura County, Halloween creates another night when visibility and traffic safety are especially important. AMR Ventura County recommends the following precautions to prevent crashes, falls and other emergencies.
Share the Road
Drivers
- Slow down in residential neighborhoods, especially after dark, and expect extra foot and bike traffic.
- Stay alert at intersections, driveways and around parked cars.
- Put distractions away and maintain focus on the road.
Pedestrians
- Use sidewalks and crosswalks, and carry a flashlight.
- Wear light-colored clothing and add reflective tape or materials to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
Riders
- Wear a properly fitted, certified helmet every time you ride.
- Add reflective tape or lights to your bike and clothing so drivers can see you.
- Ride with the flow of traffic, obey signs and signals, and use hand signals when turning.
- Make sure your bike fits you and your brakes work.
- Avoid loose clothing or strings that could catch in your bike, and wear shoes that grip and protect your feet.
Prevent Costume-Related Falls and Injuries
A costume should be fun, not a trip hazard.
- Choose a good fit. Avoid capes and accessories that drag on the ground. Have children walk around in their costumes and shoes before heading out.
- Keep vision clear. Masks that limit eyesight make it harder to see surroundings. Non-toxic face paint or a decorative hat is a safer alternative.
- Supervise young trick-or-treaters. Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult.
- Clear your walkways. Remove or secure cords, decorations and other obstacles at home that could cause a trip or fall.
If You’re Celebrating, Have a Plan
Parties and gatherings bring a higher risk of alcohol or substance-related emergencies. If alcohol is part of your celebration, arrange a sober driver or rideshare before you start. Never drive or ride impaired, and don’t hesitate to get help if someone has had too much to drink.
With a little planning, increased visibility and extra awareness, Ventura County residents can enjoy the costumes, candy and celebrations that make Halloween special while helping keep themselves and others safe.
About American Medical Response (AMR)
American Medical Response, Inc., America’s leading provider of emergency medical services, provides mobile healthcare in 40 states and the District of Columbia. More than 28,000 AMR paramedics, EMTs, RNs and other professionals work together to care for more than 4.8 million patients nationwide each year in critical, emergency and non-emergency situations. For more information about AMR, visit www.amr.net or on Facebook and LinkedIn.
AMR is part of Global Medical Response, the largest air and ground emergency medical service provider in the United States. With 34,000 team members, the organization reaches more than 61% of the U.S. population, providing emergency medical care to 5.5 million patients annually and performing a critical intervention every 91 seconds. For over two decades, GMR’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has partnered with FEMA, DHS, HHS, state agencies, and private partners to deliver rapid, life-saving services during large-scale disasters, acts of terrorism, and public health emergencies, deploying over 80 times across all 10 FEMA regions. Its family of solutions includes ambulance EMS provider American Medical Response(AMR), as well as multiple air EMS organizations including Air Evac Lifeteam, REACH Air Medical Services, Guardian Flight, Med-Trans Corporation, and AirMed International. For?additional?information, visit?GMR at www.globalmedicalresponse.com, or on Facebook and LinkedIn
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