Game Day Traffic and Rush Hour Hazards: How Can You Stay Safe When Driving Around Tallahassee?

By practicing defensive driving techniques and planning your route strategically, you can help avoid car accidents caused by distracted drivers, boisterous pedestrians, and other hazards on game day and in rush-hour traffic around Tallahassee.

Fans in face paint and school colors are fun to watch until a crazed fan cuts you off in traffic or darts out into the road, forcing you to take extreme action to avoid hitting them. Traffic patterns in Tallahassee change drastically during major sporting events at FSU and other schools, and the increasingly heavy weekday rush-hour traffic is also causing unexpected shifts. Knowing potential trouble spots, planning to avoid unpredictable elements, and practicing defensive driving are steps you can take to stay safe during the craziest hours on the roads around Tallahassee.

Why is Game Day Traffic Different from Normal Tallahassee Traffic?

It is important to understand the additional hazards we face on game day, such as:

• Greater numbers of cars and trucks entering and leaving the city
• Drivers who are unfamiliar with local traffic patterns, roads, and landmarks
• Heavier than usual pedestrian traffic, including fans who are distracted or drunk
• Increased focus on GPS and other apps as drivers try to avoid traffic or find parking
• Added rideshare drop-offs and pickups

Any one of these can substantially increase the likelihood of a collision, but when combined, the odds can increase exponentially.

What are the Biggest Game Day and Rush Hour Hazards to Be Aware Of?

The biggest hazards to watch for during rush hour and game day in Tallahassee happen because so many people let increased traffic and intense focus lead to poor decisions.

What Happens When Increased Traffic Makes Drivers Impatient?

Drivers who get irritated by extra traffic and delays during rush hour and on game day often vent their frustration or try to make up lost time by speeding, tailgating, and making abrupt lane changes. These practices can be considered negligent or reckless driving and can trigger a collision.

When drivers act this way in stop-and-go traffic, they are likely to cause a rear-end collision.

Why are Extra Pedestrians Such a Hazard?

Pedestrians and cyclists don’t have the protection of metal around them like passengers in a car, but their presence on game day or during rush hour can actually be more hazardous to motorists than to them. Drivers instinctively take evasive action to avoid hitting them, and when they have to react at the last minute, they often swerve into another lane of traffic, hit other vehicles, or drive off the road into an obstruction, injuring people in their own vehicle.  

What Other Problems Do We Need to Watch For?

During rush hour, and especially on game day, watch for distracted or impaired drivers because they won’t be paying attention to the road. They may drift out of their lane, change speeds abruptly, or back up without checking surroundings.

Smart fans will order rideshare transportation for the game, which can lead to increased traffic and sudden stops.

How Can You Prepare Before Driving on Game Day?

Below are some steps to protect yourself before driving on game day in Tallahassee.

• If possible, check traffic congestion patterns from previous games or look at backups the week before the game you’ll be attending.
• Make sure the vehicle is maintained and has a full tank of fuel.
• Plan your route and have alternatives ready. Even if they are longer in mileage, they can save time if you avoid serious congestion.
• Allow even more travel time than you think you’ll need to avoid the urge to rush and provide time for detours.
• Reserve parking in advance.
• Program the navigation before starting out.
• Have a passenger ready with a phone to search for alternate routes if necessary.
• While driving, allow additional following distance in case of sudden stops or erratic driving.

You also need to follow general safe driving practices, such as having all passengers wear seatbelts, paying close attention to your surroundings, and avoiding driving if you are tired or impaired.

FAQs About Staying Safe on Busy Tallahassee Roads

Are there recommended routes for game day traffic in Tallahassee?

The City of Tallahassee describes recommended routes for those parking on or near the FSU campus:

• If coming from the north and parking on the west side of the stadium, use Stadium Drive
• If coming from the north and parking on the east side of the stadium, take Macomb or Bronough Street to Pensacola Street
• If coming from the south, take Lake Bradford Road
• If coming from the east and parking on the west side of the stadium, use Gaines Street
• If coming from the east and parking on the east side of the stadium, take Pensacola Street
• If coming from the west and parking on the west side of the stadium, take Pensacola Street or Tennessee Street to Stadium Drive
• If coming from the west and parking on the east side of the stadium, take Tennessee Street to Macomb Street

The City warns that traffic signals on Pensacola Street will flash to give priority to westbound traffic before the game.

What are some ways to stay safe during heavy rush hour traffic?

To protect yourself during heavy traffic, reinforce safe driving practices by driving slower, leaving extra space ahead, signaling lane changes and avoiding them when possible, watching for motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians, and being ready to stop suddenly if necessary.

What if a crash happens?

If a crash happens on game day or in rush hour when traffic is heavy:

• Call 911 if there are injuries or property damage
• Wait for help in a safe location (usually inside a vehicle is advisable)
• Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and injuries
• Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver if possible, but do not say anything else
• Get a medical exam and tell the doctor you were in a collision so they can check for internal injuries or other injuries that may be difficult to detect
• If there are injuries or your policy requires it, notify your insurance company

If injuries are severe, it is a good idea to consult a personal injury attorney to learn about your options for recovering compensation beyond what is provided by your Personal Injury Protection coverage.

When Someone’s Irresponsible Actions Cause a Collision, We Are Ready to Help

Even when you take all possible steps to protect yourself and others from the risks of game day and rush hour traffic in Tallahassee, you may still get seriously injured because someone else was not as responsible as you. When that happens, the experienced attorneys at Searcy Denney Tallahassee can help you obtain compensation to make up for your losses and help meet future needs.

For a free consultation to learn what assistance we may be able to provide, call us at 888-549-7011 or contact us online.