blog home Car Accidents Virginia’s colleges resuming in the fall can lead to more traffic risks in college towns

Virginia’s colleges resuming in the fall can lead to more traffic risks in college towns

By John Singleton on June 15, 2024

As Virginia colleges resume, local residents should remain alert to more traffic. There are more than 60 four-year colleges in Virginia, and Virginia’s Community Colleges is a system of 23 schools, which means more traffic for many communities. Also, colleges in nearby areas, including Washington D.C., Maryland, and North Carolina, create more traffic across the Commonwealth.

Law enforcement agencies report a noticeable spike in accidents in college towns at the beginning of the school year simply because a lot of new students are arriving and getting used to the new setting. While college towns are not statistically more dangerous for drivers and pedestrians than non-college towns, a significant number of college students engage in dangerous behaviors such as DUI, speeding, and texting while driving, not to mention a study from The University of Minnesota that suggests that college towns with big football seasons often see an increase of intoxicated drivers and pedestrians.

If you have college students in your family, it’d be a good idea to talk to them regularly about the importance of safe driving habits.

What are common risks posed by inexperienced Virginia drivers?

When students return to campuses, there’s going to be more traffic in those parts of Virginia. Increased traffic leads to more congested roads, especially during peak hours when students are driving to and from classes. Local college town residents and commuters also feel the effects—some even change their driving schedule during the school year.

Inexperienced drivers, particularly young college students, may be more likely to drive dangerously. One of the most serious bad behaviors is distracted driving. This includes texting, using a GPS, or talking with friends while behind the wheel. People aged 16 to 24 are most likely to use their cell phones while driving, and 60 percent of teens 18 or older admit to emailing and texting while driving. At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we have an ongoing “Texts=Wrecks”  campaign that highlights the risks of texting while driving.

Speeding is another common risky behavior. Young drivers sometimes underestimate the dangers of speeding or feel pressured to keep up with traffic or impress friends. Unfortunately, a lot of kids also don’t wear seatbelts.

Also, parties, tailgates, and other get-togethers can often involve alcohol or recreational drugs, and these are both obvious causes of impaired driving. But even when alcohol is not involved, the excitement and distractions of social events can lead to reckless driving like speeding or running red lights.

What should you know about pedestrian and bicycle safety?

The return of classes causes a noticeable increase in foot traffic on and near college campuses, too. Students who are walking to and from classes, dorms, or local businesses create a bustling environment with new, unique safety challenges. This means drivers need to be even more vigilant, especially at crosswalks, bus stops, and intersections. Increased pedestrian traffic also means more jaywalkers, as students sometimes take shortcuts to save time.

As drivers, we have to be highly alert in areas with heavy foot traffic by reducing our speed and being prepared to stop suddenly—just in case. And pedestrians must also take responsibility for their own safety by only using designated crosswalks, obeying all traffic signals, and making eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.

Bicycle safety can also be a major issue in college towns where many students choose cycling as their primary mode of transportation. Cyclists should always wear helmets to protect themselves in case of an accident, and wearing bright or reflective clothing can help increase their visibility, especially during early morning or late evening rides.

Are DUIs more common in Virginia college towns?

It’s a good question—and one that seemingly has an obvious answer. Alcohol consumption among college students tends to spike during social activities such as parties, tailgates, and sporting events. According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than half of full-time college students between the ages of 18 and 22 admit to having consumed alcohol in the past month. And this trend significantly increases the risk of DUI accidents, especially because many young, inexperienced drinkers underestimate just how much alcohol is going to affect them behind the wheel.

Things are being done to reduce the risk of DUI incidents in college towns. Designated driver programs—aimed at encouraging students to plan ahead and assign a sober driver before all outings—can be very effective. Some universities and local authorities also work together to offer safer ways to get around after drinking, such as free or cheap ride-sharing services and extra public transportation during peak social hours.

Educational campaigns for kids that talk about the dangers of drunk driving can also make a big difference, as can having more police officers on the road to provide more DUI checkpoints and patrols. These serve as deterrents and can also catch drunk drivers before they hurt someone or themselves.

How can our Virginia car accident lawyers help our neighbors who are hurt in an accident?

If you or a loved one is hurt in an auto or pedestrian accident by someone else, we want to help you. At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we believe in looking out for our neighbors. My law partner, Ken Gibson, and I bring small-town values and big-city track records to every client.

When you put your trust in GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, you don’t have to pay us at all unless we win your case—we call it our Zero Fee Guarantee. Our personal injury law firm has won big  for our clients in the past, and we may be able to help you, too.

Call our Virginia car accident lawyers today at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777 to set up a free consultation.