We know football is back again, and bringing people together. The grills are hissing, the jerseys are out, and somebody’s uncle is yelling at the TV before kickoff. We all enjoy the time spent with our loved ones at watch parties or tailgating, but on these game days—especially marquee events like the Super Bowl—dangerous driving behaviors surge. 

Why Risk Climbs on Big Game Days

• Alcohol & tailgating: Heavy pre-/post-game drinking increases the share of impaired drivers on the road. (Multiple studies document elevated drinking on game days and higher alcohol-related incidents in and around venues.)
• Traffic surges & distractions: Crowds flood in and out at the same time, while fans check scores, text, and navigate jammed routes—classic distraction to cause an accident.. 
• Emotional volatility & “close games”: Tighter games are linked to more post-game fatalities—stress, celebration, and frustration can all worsen driving behavior. The rise of sports betting platforms is increasingly becoming a huge factor in this consideration .  

Reckless Driving vs. DWI

In a civil case, either one can prove negligence. Together, they can open doors to punitive damages and even third-party liability if a venue that served the alcohol was found negligent. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) means operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol/drugs; however reckless driving is willful disregard for safety—often seen as excessive speeding, weaving, running lights, street racing, or aggressive maneuvers. On game days, the two frequently overlap.

When we build your case, we work to secure:

• Police & crash reports noting suspected impairment, speeding, or aggressive driving.
• Breath/blood test results, field sobriety evidence, and officer observations. 
• Video evidence (traffic cams, stadium/venue lots, bar exteriors, dashcams) capturing erratic driving, tailgating departures, or red-light running.
• Cell-phone and telematics data to show distraction, speed, or hard-braking patterns.
• Witness statements from bar staff, tailgate neighbors, and rideshare drivers.
• Venue/retailer records to evaluate dram-shop liability if a bar or seller overserved a visibly intoxicated driver.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself on Game Day

• Plan your ride (rideshare, designated driver, transit) before kickoff.
• Leave late or early to avoid mass departures.
• Assume others are impaired or distracted—increase following distance and scan aggressively.
• Call 911 to report suspected drunk or reckless drivers.
• If you’re hit: get medical attention, if possible photograph and video the vehicles/scene, preserve dashcam footage if applicable, and of course contact counsel quickly.

How our Team at Roberts Markland Helps

For victims of game-day crashes, fast investigation makes the difference. We:

• Move immediately for video preservation (stadium lots, bar fronts, traffic cams).
• Obtain DWI evidence (BAC results, officer body-cam, field tests).
• Work with accident reconstructionists to model speed, impact forces, and visibility.

If you or a loved one was injured on a game day, call Roberts Markland for a free case evaluation. We’ll handle the law while you focus on healing.