Football season in North Texas isn’t a single high-risk night — it’s a five-month stretch of Friday games, Saturday and Sunday tailgates, and Monday night matchups that keep DFW families on the road well after dark, week after week. Notorious is the pre- and post game traffic around AT&T Stadium in Arlington where traffic can back up for hours as tens of thousands of cars merge onto the same handful of exits on I-30. It’s exactly the kind of slow-moving, high-tension traffic where an impaired driver becomes even more dangerous.
Add an intoxicated or drug-impaired driver into that mix, and a routine trip home from a game can turn into a serious impaired driving accident fast. Before the season gets going, here’s a safety checklist to help your family stay safe on DFW roads this fall well beyond kick off.
Why Football Season Spikes Drunk & Impaired Driving Risks
According to recent crash data from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), 1,254 people were killed on Texas roads in a single year due to impaired driving. That averages out to roughly three Texans losing their lives every single day. Impaired driving now accounts for over a third of all traffic fatalities statewide. These losses can be completely preventable.
While alcohol remains a primary cause during weekend tailgates, public safety officials warn that drug-impaired driving, particularly involving cannabis and THC products, is sharply on the rise. In fact, TxDOT highlights that when drivers combine alcohol and THC together, they are 25 times more likely to cause a fatal crash than a sober driver.
Weekend nights account for a massive share of those collisions, and football season stacks up several high-traffic weekend nights every week for months at a time. That is what makes this season different from a single holiday weekend: it isn’t just one high-risk night to plan around; it is a recurring pattern from August into February.
Before You Head Out: Game Day Preparation
- Designate a sober driver before leaving home: Decide who is driving before the first tailgate starts. Don’t wait until after the game when alcohol or THC products have taken effect, everyone is tired, and the parking lot is chaotic.
- Download a rideshare app ahead of time: Have Uber or Lyft already set up on your phone so you aren’t fumbling with an app in a packed lot with spotty cell signals.
- Plan for stadium traffic delays: Around AT&T Stadium, postgame traffic can back up for over an hour or even longer. Build that extra time into your plans so no one feels rushed to beat the crowd.
On the Road: Spotting and Handling Impaired Drivers
- Watch for signs of an impaired driver: Weaving between lanes, delayed braking, driving without headlights at night, driving unusually slow, or ignoring traffic signals are all clear warning signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Keep your distance and don’t try to pass.
- Don’t try to pass or signal the driver: Stopping or waving down a suspected impaired driver is a job for law enforcement, not other motorists. Getting close enough to signal them puts you at greater risk.
- Report a suspected drunk or high driver: Dial 911 immediately with the vehicle’s location, direction of travel, and license plate number if you can safely obtain it. Never attempt to follow or confront the driver.
- Buckle up, every time, every seat: A functioning seatbelt remains one of the single most effective defenses against severe injury in a collision with an impaired driver.
Have a Family Plan in Place
- Agree on a no-judgment pickup policy: Make sure everyone in your family, including teens, knows they can call for a ride home at any hour, no questions asked. It’s important no one ever gets into a vehicle if they aren’t comfortable driving or riding with someone who might be under the influence.
- Keep emergency contacts easy to find: Make sure everyone’s phone has ICE (In Case of Emergency) information configured on their lock screen. Set up Medical ID on Apple iPhone or emergency info on Android.
- Talk about it before game day, not during: A quick family conversation before the season gets going makes it much easier for everyone to follow the plan once things get chaotic at the venue.
What to Do If You’re Hit by an Impaired Driver
- Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately: Always get checked out by a medical professional, even if injuries seem minor. Soft-tissue and head injuries often delay showing symptoms.
- Avoid confronting the other driver: Let police handle the exchange of information. An intoxicated or drug-impaired driver can be aggressive or unpredictable after a collision.
- Document the scene thoroughly: Take photos and videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible signs of intoxication or open containers if safe to do so.
- Gather witness contact information: Statements from neutral bystanders are critical evidence, especially if the other driver disputes what happened later.
Exploring Legal Options Beyond the Drunk Driver’s Insurance
Drivers who operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs are statistically more likely to be uninsured or underinsured. If the impaired driver lacks sufficient coverage, you may be able to recover compensation through your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Furthermore, if a sports bar, restaurant, or venue overserved the driver prior to the crash, you may have a claim under the Texas Dram Shop Act.
A Season of Football Shouldn’t Come With This Much Risk
Friday Night Lights, Saturday and Sunday tailgates, and Monday night games are some of the best parts of fall right here in North Texas. A little planning before the season starts can make sure they stay that way. If you or someone you love is ever hurt by an impaired driver, the O’Hare and Koch Law Firm is here to help you understand your legal options and fight for the full compensation your family deserves.
Questions about a possible case? We’re always happy to help. Give us a call today to speak with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.
