Do Opening Day The Safe Way!

Do Opening Day the Safe Way! Heading to Busch Stadium for Opening Day? Watching another championship chase
kick off on freshly cut grass and a finely raked infield is a St. Louis tradition that dates back to 1882. The roar
of the crowd after hearing a home run crack can be thrilling, but when emotions and fatigue mix with beer or other
alcohol, it can create an unsafe environment. Remember these two things for a successful and safe day: enjoy
yourself, but also plan your transportation beforehand. Smart choices ahead of time let you have more fun during the
event. Read on to see our tips for staying safe on opening day in St. Louis, or speak to an attorney at (314) 500-HURT
if you’ve been injured and need a free consultation.

Whether or not you’re going to the game, don’t forget to join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag
#OpeningDaySTL. This exciting event marks the return of the reigning National League Central Division Champs to
their home field.

Transportation Options for Cardinals Fans on Opening Day

Root, root, root for the Cardinals. But, it’d be much more than just a shame if you and your loved ones
don’t get home in one piece. Before you feast on hotdogs and Budweisers, make sure you have a plan for getting home
safely. Besides driving yourself, here are some transportation alternatives to consider:

• The MetroLink is a reliable option that saves you from the hassle of driving. Check MetroStLouis.org for schedules and Park-Ride lots near you.
• The Redbird Express departs from the Water Tower at St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights, Illinois. The service
  starts 2 1/2 hours before game time and runs every five minutes. Click here for more info on the Rebird Express.
• If neither option fits your needs, there are plenty of taxi cabs available near the stadium on opening day.
• Don’t forget about Uber and Lyft!
• Local bars and restaurants offer shuttles to the game, which is a great option if you’re having trouble finding
  parking closer to the ballpark. However, if you plan to drink, make sure you have a designated driver in your
  group to ensure a safe return home.

Don’t Drink and Drive! It’s a huge mistake!

Opening Day might as well be an official holiday in St. Louis. While the whole city likes to have fun, it’s important
for everyone to do so responsibly. Remember that your designated driver should not be the “most sober” person in
your group, but rather someone who has abstained from alcohol entirely. So, make arrangements ahead of time – assign
a sober driver, take a taxi, ride the MetroLink, or book a nearby hotel for the night. Maybe consider coming down
early for a happy hour at Ballpark Village or some other local bars instead. Any way you do it, be sure to celebrate
responsibly!

Don’t Forget to Plan Your Journey Home – It’s Just as Important as Buying Tickets and Planning Your Gameday
Festivities!

Whether it’s your kid’s first game or you have season tickets, planning a day out for baseball in St. Louis is
exciting. But, while planning for your pre-pitch beer or where to meet up with your crew, if you plan on drinking
you also need to think about how you’re going to get home. Here’s how to incorporate a safe trip home into your day:

• Avoid making decisions under the influence by planning how you will get home while planning the rest of your
  day.
• Taking off work, getting tickets, figuring out meeting spots are all important considerations when planning.
  However, planning how you will get home should be a top priority.
• If you do plan to drink, do so responsibly and pace yourself. Stick to a reasonable number of drinks and make
  sure to eat food throughout the day.
• Keep in mind that being intoxicated can affect your decision-making abilities. For your safety and the safety of
  others, it’s best to assume you will not be sober enough to drive home.
• Consider alternative transportation options such as public transit, ride-sharing services, or designated drivers
  to ensure a safe trip home.
• If you’re with a group of people and someone is showing signs of being intoxicated, don’t let them get behind
  the wheel. Offer to help them find a safe way home, such as calling a ride-sharing service or calling a friend
  or family member for a ride.
• Even if you’re not drinking, it’s important to stay alert on the road and be aware of other drivers who may be
  impaired. Stay focused on the road and avoid distractions like texting or using your phone while
  driving.

Drinking and driving is never a good idea, but it’s especially dangerous on Opening Day when there are large crowds
and increased traffic on the roads. Do your due diligence beforehand to keep you, your family and your friends safe.

Drunk Driving Is a Massive Problem in St. Louis

Nearly a third of all traffic fatalities in the United States are caused by drunk driving. In
every state, it is illegal to drive drunk, yet, on average according to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, one person is killed in a drunk driving accident every 45 minutes. Locally, the numbers are just as
staggering – in Missouri, 26.7 percent of the driving deaths in 2019 were alcohol related while in Greater St. Louis it is 28.4 percent. This
needs to stop.

We have seen firsthand the countless St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois residents who sustained severe injuries due to
drunk driving accidents, even some who have
unfortunately lost their lives. Drunk drivers face charges for their decision to drive under the influence and may
end up paying fines, losing their license, going to jail and having to attend an alcohol treatment program.
Individuals who make the decision to drink and drive must be held responsible for their negligent actions and for
the damages they have caused. Many are repeat offenders. The St.
Louis car accident lawyers at Burger Law sue drunk
drivers to make sure you and your family collect a recovery, but also so that drunk drivers face the maximum
punishment and think twice about doing that again.

Missouri and Illinois Personal Injury Lawyers | Burger Law

Have fun tomorrow! But stay safe and plan ahead. If someone else behaves carelessly and you sustain injuries in an
accident caused by a drunk driver, find out how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator. Call Burger Law as soon as
possible at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online contact form to schedule a
no-obligation case review.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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