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Don't strike out going to and from the ol' ball game

Don't strike out going to and from the ol' ball game

By Kathy Cline / ADOT Communications
March 11, 2020

Editor's note: Due to the coranavirus, Major League Baseball announced that all spring training games have been suspended.

Heads up, sports fans, it's that time of year: spring training!

That means ballgames, pop flies, home runs, hot dogs, "peanuts 'n' Cracker Jacks," tons of fun and, don't forget, traffic on Valley freeways.

Whether you are rooting for the Giants, Rockies or Diamondbacks, whether your favorite team is in Surprise, Mesa, Goodyear or Phoenix, you can expect plenty of your fellow fans to be going the same place. And with road projects increasing as the weather gets warmer, traffic to and from spring-training games could be heavy.

With that in mind, here are some tips to make sure everyone makes it back to their own home plate without headaches:

  • Just as you would watch for that runner trying to steal second, always be vigilant behind the wheel.
  • Buckle up; no one wants to be put on the disabled list should the unfortunate happen.
  • Speeding and aggressive driving are more than just unsportsmanlike conduct. They are big factors in deadly crashes in Arizona, according to the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
  • Be prepared to slow down if your route takes you through a construction zone;
  • Check travel times, traffic conditions and road issues either on az511.gov or our AZ 511 app to ensure you make it to the game before the first pitch.
  • And while baseball fans can differ on the designated hitter rule, we can all agree on designating a driver if you plan on consuming alcohol.

If you do get in a crash on the way to or from a game, remember to practice Quick Clearance and get off the road as soon as safely as you can.