The beginning of the school year brings about high school football season, among a multitude of other sports. Student-athletes are excited to play in the game while their families and peers can't wait to cheer them on. While this is an exciting time of year for sports fans, make sure you know how to be safe when traveling to an away game.

4 Tips for Driving to Away Games

Follow these tips to stay safe when you're driving to the big game at a rival school.

1. Follow Safety Rules

Hopping in the car with your friends or family to go to the game is fun, but safety should be the number one priority any time you enter your car. If you're a new driver, limit any distracted driving that could occur.

Put down your cell phone, turn down the music, and buckle up. Depending on your state's laws, you might not even be allowed to have passengers who aren't family as a new driver. Follow posted speed limits as well — it's not worth getting into an accident over hurrying to the game. As long as you drive defensively, you'll increase your odds of being safe.

2. Maintain Your Vehicle

The last thing you want to do is break down on the way to the game. Luckily, this is an easy problem to avoid. Do these maintenance checks before an important game road trip:

• Check your fluids — Check your engine oil, coolant, power steering, brake, transmission, and windshield washer fluid weekly and top them off as needed.

• Inspect your tires — Make sure your tires have adequate pressure and have good tread levels. Learn how to do the penny test for a quick tread gauge indicator. Change to summer or winter tires as needed depending on where you live.

• Change your oil — Just checking your engine oil isn't enough. Have your oil and filter changed at a regular interval according to the owner's manual.

If you aren't sure how to perform any of these tasks, always check your owner's manual. Also, consider keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle. Fill it with extra vehicle fluids, tools, and spare food and water to prepare for any situation you might encounter.

3. Plan Your Route 

You don't want to miss kickoff, so make sure you plan your route to make it to the game on time. One of the best things you can do is load up your favorite GPS app, type in your destination and estimated departure, and study the directions in advance. This allows you to see how long it takes to reach your rival's field by a certain time in predicted traffic conditions. Always allow some extra time in case there is a game day detour or traffic from lots of fellow fans.

To build confidence and reduce anxiety on the big day, you might even take a test run to the venue you're going to for the game. Go after hours so you don't have to contend with school traffic and you can see where to go at your own pace. You'll feel more prepared, and you won't have to second guess where you're going.

4. Prepare for Common Mishaps

While you'll never be able to predict when these common mishaps might occur, it's always smart to prepare for them:

• Flat tires — You never know when you'll run over a nail. Know how to change a tire or call roadside assistance if you need help.

• Engine issues —  If your engine overheats when you're on the road, you can at least refill your coolant to keep moving. Otherwise, more serious problems might require a tow.

• Running out of gas or charge — Always fuel up or charge when your gauge is below a quarter of a tank or before you head to the big game.

If you ever get into one of these mishaps, the first thing you should do is take a deep breath and remain calm. Being stressed or panicking won't help the situation at all. Safely pull your car off of the road onto the shoulder or into a parking area if there's one close enough.

Don't be afraid to call your parents for advice. They probably experienced something similar and can talk you through it. They can also call roadside assistance for you if you're subscribed to a service. You might also want to call your coach to let them know you might be late for kickoff.

Make It to the Game Safely to Cheer on Your Team

Whether you're playing or cheering on your team, make the most of your time going on a trip to an away game. Cherish every second of your journey while doing it safely. One way to improve your safety is by signing up for a driver's ed course at DriversEd.com. Our courses will give you the confidence you need to safely travel to any game.

Updated 10/17/2024