For fans of college football, the days surrounding January 1st of any year can be some of the best of the season. With the current post season structure and the four team playoff system, some of the biggest bowl games will happen between New Year’s Eve and January 2nd of this year with two of those games taking place in the Phoenix area. Fans are excitedly anticipating the Battlefrog Fiesta Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale and the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl at Chase Field in Phoenix.
The Fiesta Bowl will feature Notre Dame taking on Ohio State in a matchup of two of the nation’s premier football programs. Set for Friday, January 1, 2016, the event will also have a number of official and unofficial associated events surrounding the game including pregame parties, a parade, receptions, and designated gatherings for fans from out of state. Tens of thousands of spectators are expected in the area around the stadium with many others anticipated in area restaurants and bars, setting up for a potentially busy day in Glendale on Friday.
The University of Phoenix Stadium normally hosts home football games for the Arizona Cardinals at this time of year so officials are prepared in much of the same way they would be if the NFL were playing. However, the addition of other activities like the parade and pregames means that the Fiesta Bowl will have a different spin on it than a standard Cardinals game and there could be complications to traffic flow and pedestrian safety as a result.
Like the Fiesta Bowl, the Cactus Bowl will draw very large crowds to Phoenix around Chase Field, the normal home field of the MLB Arizona Diamondbacks. Local fans are looking forward to a matchup between Arizona State University and West Virginia University on Saturday, January 2, 2016 both on and off the field. Official pregame activities are planned, alumni events are in place, and there are several public viewing parties at local establishments for those who will not be watching the game in person.
If you will be in the area of the Fiesta Bowl or the Cactus Bowl, or if you are lucky enough to be going to one of the games, make sure you consider your travel plans before leaving home. Several streets near the stadiums will be closed for traffic control purposes and parking and some typical lots used for game day celebrations may be closed. Local authorities are encouraging participants to carpool when possible or to consider using public transit, like the light rail, to get close to Chase Field.
However you choose to travel, keep in mind that there will be an extremely large number of pedestrians in the area of the stadiums on Friday and Saturday and that each driver and pedestrian is responsible for acting in a safe, reasonable manner. Make sure you conduct yourself in a way that puts safety first so that pedestrian accidents are avoided entirely, keeping fans and passersby accident-free.
Finally, if you will be driving, make sure you refrain from drinking alcohol in any form. It is against the law to drink and drive in Arizona and those who do may be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, whether or not they are involved in a car accident.
If you become the victim of a collision while a pedestrian in Maricopa County, know that you may have a valid claim for the damages you sustain if you choose to bring your action within an appropriate time period. Speaking with the legal team at Abels & Annes, P.C. can help you realize your options and who may be held liable for your injuries that stem from the crash.
We have an attorney standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to take your call toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and to offer you a free case consultation. We have years of experience representing accident victims and we are ready to help you as well. There is no cost and no obligation for speaking with us and everything discussed will be kept confidential so please call us today and let us help you get the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Freeze Warning Hits the Phoenix Area, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published December 28, 2015.