EXPERIENCED PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER SERVING ALL OF TEXAS
Every year, over 37,000 U.S. citizens die in car accidents and over 2.3 million are injured. Overall, this leads to more than $230 billion in damages. When you’re leaving the jam-packed Cowboys Stadium or Globe Life Park, you’re especially vulnerable.
To help you out, here are five important safety tips:
Put Down Your Cell Phone
Texting and driving is incredibly dangerous, especially after a particularly exciting concert or game.
The roads around the Ball Park and the Death Star are always packed with cars, most of whom are driven by people likely to be thinking about things other than their surroundings, so this is a time to pay special attention. According to the National Safety Council, over a quarter of all car crashes are due to cell phone use. That’s over 1.5 million crashes each year. However, they aren’t the only distraction while driving. Here are some other common ones to avoid:
- Eating and drinking.
- Fiddling with the radio.
- Rubbernecking.
- Paying attention to children, passengers, or pets.
Avoid Traffic Whenever Possible
Whenever possible is the operative word here. Legends Way and Ballpark Way both lead to I-30 and East Division Street but are usually very tight and you might be better off taking side roads out to North Center Street or Six Flags Drive to get to the highways. East Randol Mill and Cowboys Way which turns into East Rogers Street are good ways to get East and West.
More vehicles on the road mean more opportunities for collisions. At a busy stadium, this is especially true. Try to avoid peak traffic hours by arriving and leaving a bit earlier (OK, that’s sacrilege, we know!) or later than everybody else does. If that’s not an option, make sure you’re paying even closer attention than usual.
Don’t Overindulge, Use a Designated Driver
Perhaps the cost of a beer at Jerry World may cut down the total number of drinks consumed by people on the roads around the stadium, but we all know having a few beers at the game is part of it. Be safe. Don’t be the guy who ruins everyone’s day after a big win. Take your turn as the driver, and if you’re driving, keep it to overpriced sodas or water. If you think the beers at the Ballpark cost a lot, think about how much a DWI will cost!
Keep Your Vehicle in Working Condition
If you’ve ever been to a Rangers game in August, you know there couldn’t possibly be a worse time to be stuck on the side of the road in Arlington. A few things to check before you go:
- Tires. If your tires are underinflated or reaching the end of their usefulness, you’ll risk a blowout.
- Lights. Headlights, brake lights, and turn signals must all be fully operational.
- Windshield wipers. Your wipers and wiper fluid must be able to handle any rain, snow, sleet, or other debris to make sure you maintain visibility.
Get Enough Sleep
Who wants to be half asleep while Adrian Beltre is anchoring another ridiculous double play from the third baseline? Worse than that though, many people feel comfortable driving while they’re tired, but drowsy driving is actually one of the leading causes of car accidents. Estimates show that each year over 100,000 accidents are caused by tired drivers, leaving over 1,500 dead and 70,000 injured.
No matter how excited you are the night before the game, make sure to get enough sleep. Don’t wake up at the crack of dawn to tailgate if it’s going to leave you exhausted afterward. Leaving Globe Life Park and Cowboys Stadium is tricky enough when you’re fully alert.
The most cautious drivers in Texas are still at risk due to other drivers. If you live in or around Arlington, TX, and find yourself injured in a car accident that isn’t your fault, make sure to contact Geoffrey Dashner here. He specializes in personal injury cases, ensuring you get the compensation you deserve.
