Division of Public Affairs photo
Caltrans staffed an information area at the California State Fair this summer in Sacramento.
By Wayne Wilson
Caltrans Highway Safety Education Campaign Manager
Each summer, the California State Fair brings together hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the state and among its most engaging exhibitors is Caltrans.
The Caltrans booth has become a lively and educational destination where fairgoers of all ages can learn about roadway safety, explore transportation careers and connect directly with the people who help keep California moving.
Caltrans’ presence at the 2026 California State Fair once again demonstrated the department’s commitment to safety, community engagement and public service. With more than 600,000 attendees attending the fair this year, the Caltrans and Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) booth served as essential platforms for meaningful conversations about roadway safety.
Supported by more than 60 volunteers from across Caltrans and OTS, the booth operated continuously across the fair’s two-week run.
From July 17 through August 2, Caltrans partnered with the OTS, expanding the booth’s reach beyond traditional transportation topics. The booth showcased several core Caltrans and OTS safety themes, including:
- Be Work Zone Alert
- Move Over Law
- Go Safely Campaign Collaboration
- Secure Your Load
- Know Your Limit
- E bikes & Scooters
- Pedestrian safety
- Interactive Public Engagement
Housed inside an exhibit hall, the booth allowed visitors to learn about safety, explore informational materials, participate in surveys and speak one on one with Caltrans team members. Conversation topics spanned safe driving, work zone awareness, and emerging transportation topics such as e-bike and scooter safety. Staff from various divisions helped answer questions, share personal experiences and spotlight recruitment opportunities across Caltrans.
The outreach success was driven by highly engaged volunteers who staffed the booth. Volunteer engagement was essential in connecting with thousands of attendees and advancing the mission of roadway safety. Their enthusiasm and commitment helped ensure that every visitor felt welcomed, informed and empowered to make safer choices on the road.
Volunteering at the fair was truly rewarding. People were eager to learn about safety, and you could feel how much our conversations mattered. It reminded me that even small interactions can make a big difference in keeping Californians safe.
Thanks to your dedication and enthusiasm, we were able to connect with thousands of visitors over the two-week event and spread the message of safety. The conversations and connections were invaluable, and your commitment played a huge role in making this outreach impactful and successful.