Arizona commuters should expect heavy afternoon traffic on Halloween

PHOENIX — Arizona drivers heading home Tuesday afternoon should plan ahead for heavy traffic and roads lined with Halloween trick-or-treaters, officials said.

“This is one of the worst afternoon rush hours each year,” Arizona Department of Transportation spokesman Doug Nintzel said.

“A lot of folks who might stay at work a little later, they want to get home in order to do the trick-or-treating with the kids or get ready for that party, so it becomes a more condensed rush hour [Tuesday] afternoon, make no bones about it.”

In a press release, ADOT said people hoping to beat a haunting commute should hit the road by 3 p.m., as things tend to be at their worst the following hour.

The agency also posted a humorous message to remind drivers to stay off their phones and keep their eyes on the road.

Happy Halloween, Arizona! Drive safe! 🎃👻 @ArizonaDOT pic.twitter.com/RSbcqsE9fA

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) October 31, 2017

“We did pick the ‘Hocus Pocus’ theme for our overhead message boards because we think both young and older drivers can identify with that,” Nintzel said.

But the agency was also looking to remind drivers that safety doesn’t end when drivers hit the off-ramp.

“Be safe out there,” Nintzel said. “Don’t forget the little ones that may be crossing the street when you are getting close to home, either late this afternoon or early tonight.”

KTAR News’ Martha Maurer contributed to this report.

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