A recent headline from the Chron reads: “Rodeo traffic will be worse than usual this year.” A bold, if ominous, statement.
Every spring, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo draws millions of visitors to NRG Park for rodeo competitions, concerts, carnival rides, and food vendors. The event is one of the largest gatherings in Texas – recent seasons have attracted more than 2.7 million attendees over three weeks, with some days drawing nearly 200,000 people.
This year, March is the host of the Rodeo, spring break, the World Baseball Classic, and a handful of large-scale highway projects that have already frustrated drivers across Houston. These projects include construction on the North Houston Highway Improvement Project, I-10 near White Oak and the Katy Freeway, and the 288/69 interchange downtown. Unfortunately, this massive increase in traffic isn’t just annoying – it’s dangerous.
Watch for Pedestrians Near NRG Park
Pedestrian traffic increases dramatically around the rodeo grounds, parking lots, and transit stops. Many visitors walk between parking areas, carnival rides, and NRG Stadium entrances.
Drivers should:
- Slow down when entering parking lots
- Yield at crosswalks and pedestrian pathways
- Expect people to cross streets unexpectedly
- Avoid distractions such as texting or using a phone
Likewise, if you are a pedestrian attending the Rodeo or walking in the area, exercise additional caution. Many drivers can act recklessly, or drive distracted while looking at their tickets on their phone, leading to additional pedestrian accidents. We recommend wearing highly visible clothes (yellow, orange, etc) if walking at night and following foot traffic laws (avoiding J-walking, waiting for walk signs).
Unfortunately, even if you do everything right, you may still be injured. If you are hurt by a distracted or reckless driver, or with someone that is injured by a driver, do the following:
- Document the scene. If the driver attempts to leave, ensure you receive obtain their license plate. Get contact info from nearby witnesses.
- Obtain medical treatment, and get a medical exam as soon as possible. If your accident is major, call 911 and wait for EMS help. Make sure that you keep all medical documents.
- Call an injury attorney. Personal injury attorneys work to calculate your full damages and wrangle the insurance companies into paying your full compensation.
What to Do After a Car Crash Near the Houston Rodeo
Minor crashes are more common during large events like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo because of the dense traffic and stop-and-go conditions around NRG Park. Some of the worst affected roads are:
- Kirby Drive
- Fannin Street
- Old Spanish Trail
- 610 Loop
All of these roads can become gridlocked before and after rodeo events – and when vehicles are packed tightly together, even a small collision can quickly escalate. For more information on some of the most congested (and dangerous) intersections in Houston, read our article here.
Move Vehicles Out of Traffic When Possible
Texas law generally encourages drivers involved in minor crashes to move their vehicles out of travel lanes if it is safe to do so. This is especially important during rodeo traffic, where a stopped vehicle can cause a chain reaction of rear-end collisions.
If the vehicles are still drivable and there are no serious injuries:
- Turn on hazard lights immediately
- Carefully move vehicles to the shoulder, nearby parking lot, or side street
- Avoid stopping in the middle of a traffic lane if possible
Around NRG Park, many nearby areas – including parking lots, service roads, and side streets – may provide safer places to pull over and exchange information.
Avoid Standing in Traffic Lanes
One of the most dangerous mistakes drivers make after a crash is standing outside their vehicle in an active traffic lane. In gridlock, drivers behind you may be distracted or unable to stop quickly.
If you must exit the vehicle:
- Move away from the roadway immediately
- Stand on the shoulder or sidewalk
- Stay visible to other drivers
Never remain between vehicles or in the middle of the road while traffic is still moving.
Document the Crash and Call Law Enforcement
Once everyone is safe and vehicles are out of traffic, drivers should exchange information and document the scene. Take photos of the crash, including any debris generated by the impact. Call law enforcement and ask for an estimated arrival time.
Police usually do not respond to every minor accident during major events due to high call volumes. However, you should contact and wait for law enforcement if:
- Someone is injured
- One or both of the vehicles cannot be moved
- A driver appears impaired
Even if officers do not arrive, drivers can later file a crash report through the Texas Department of Transportation’s CR-2 (Driver’s Crash Report) system.
How to Avoid Accidents During Rodeo Season
Plan Your Route and Arrive Early
One of the best ways to stay safe is to plan ahead before leaving home. Traffic typically builds up quickly in the hours leading up to the rodeo start time, including during peak commute times, between 5 and 6 p.m. TxDOT Public Information Officer Danny Perez was quoted recently as saying, “If it usually would take you 30 minutes to get to NRG Stadium, maybe plan for an hour, hour and a half.”
- Weekday rodeos begin around 6:45 p.m., with concerts around 9 p.m.
- Traffic near NRG Park can become gridlocked by 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.
To reduce stress and avoid risky driving situations:
- Aim to arrive at least 30 – 60 minutes early
- Use Google Maps or Waze for real-time traffic updates
- Consider alternate routes that avoid Kirby Drive or the 610 Loop
If you aren’t planning on attending the Rodeo, it may be worthwhile to just avoid the entire area altogether. 610 South, Kirby, and other roads within 5-10 miles of NRG stadium can be entirely gridlocked, so taking the beltway or sidestreets can keep you away from the worst traffic.
Don’t Drive Under the Influence
The Houston Rodeo features concerts, bars, and nightlife venues that often serve alcohol. If you plan to drink, do not drive.
Safer alternatives include:
- Ride-share services (Uber or Lyft)
- Designating a sober driver
- Using public transportation
The rodeo already brings heavy, congested traffic – adding drunk (or tipsy) driving into the mix just makes it more likely that you could be hurt going home.
Consider Public Transportation or Shuttle Options
Driving is not the only way to reach the rodeo. Public transportation and park-and-ride services can reduce congestion and eliminate parking stress.
Popular alternatives include:
- METRORail Red Line, which stops directly at NRG Park
- Park-and-ride lots such as Fannin South
- Shuttle services from nearby areas during rodeo season
- Ride-share or taxi services.
These options allow visitors to avoid heavy traffic and reduce the number of vehicles entering the stadium area.
Stay Safe and Enjoy the Rodeo – And Call Hilda Sibrian If the Worst Happens
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of the city’s biggest annual events, bringing together millions of visitors for several weeks of entertainment. But with that excitement comes increased traffic, crowded streets, and potential driving hazards. Plan ahead and drive safe, but if are injured as a result of another person’s negligence, call Hilda Sibrian.
The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian have served the Houston community for over 22 years, and are ready to serve pedestrians and drivers injured as a result of Rodeo Houston traffic. Hilda Sibrian serves the Houston metropolitan area, including Sugar Land, Missouri City, La Porte, Beaumont, Pasadena, The Woodlands, The Heights, Bellaire, Kingwood, Baytown and of course Houston proper.
Call our office today or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
