Safety Tips for Concerts

By Caleigh Montoya, Staff Writer

It’s officially summer so it’s officially concert season! Below are some tips to stay safe at concerts and festivals. As a concert lover, I think these are great tips to abide by to make sure you are safe and having fun!

• Be aware of your surroundings: I thought that this was clear but I have been at a concert where I was too distracted to understand what was going on around me and I was almost hurt. Always taking note of those around you is a great skill when you are in a loud, crowded area. 

• Always find security: Make sure to know where the exits, bathrooms, security guards, your friends, etc, are. Knowing the ins and outs of where you are is great, in case of danger.

• Be with a friend: Wandering from the person that you came with can lead to danger! Keep with your group to ensure safety!

• Trust your instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, get out of there! Your gut doesn’t lie. If you begin to become uncomfortable, leave! 

• Come prepared: If going to a festival for several hours, make sure to bring all of the necessary things! A portable charger, water, safety objects, etc. Don’t get yourself into a situation where you have to depend on someone or can’t contact someone you trust.

• Protect your drinks and watch friends’ drinks as well: Make sure to always keep your eye on your liquid—alcohol or not—to avoid being drugged.

Public Transportation is Better, and Not Just for the Environment

By: Madelynn Loring, Staff Writer

In its most recent data, the CDC reported that the third leading cause of death in the United States are accidents, primarily those involving motor vehicles. As distressing a figure as this is, it does not even take into consideration the life altering injuries, disruptions of families, and financial ruin that can result from car accidents. Even though our situation with motor vehicle accidents has improved as time has progressed, they still cause immense grief and damage to our society and community as a whole and our current efforts are no longer doing enough. Although programs for increased driver education and campaigns against drunk and distracted driving have had an undoubtedly positive effect, if we want to create new strides in preventing and lessening the impacts of car accidents and injuries, we need to take new measures to prevent destruction on the road. While this problem is never going to have a single, simple solution, regional governments and communities can take action right now by improving public transportation systems so that people do not have to drive in the first place. 

While many may prefer the autonomy of driving a car, it is clear that public transport is the safer option. Those driving private cars are three times as likely to get injured in transit, and over five times die as a result of an accident, than those taking public transport. Additionally, roads are safer for those who continue to drive in private vehicles when public transportation is accessible and frequently used. Whether it has to do with the extensive training of those driving public busses or simply the decreased congestion of the road, The American Public Transit Association found that “metro areas where residents average more than 40 bus or train trips a year have about half the traffic fatality rates of metro areas where residents average fewer than 20 trips annually,” even for those residents who did not utilize public transportation. Cities where public transportation is widely used show that car accidents and the resulting injuries do not have to be such a major part of our everyday life. Public transportation has a direct effect on the immediate health and safety of people everywhere and this solution has been sitting right before our eyes.  

But, needless to say, public transit options are severely lacking in the United States. Compared to other countries, particularly those in Europe, using public transit as a main form of transportation in the United States is practically impossible unless you are in a densely urban area. It makes sense to an extent, simply because of the massive area that needs to be covered. However, increasing bus drivers and stops as well as expanding light rails and other alternative transportation methods would cost no more (and would even likely be cheaper) than the massive highway expansions that only temporarily relieve traffic, and end up causing more accidents in the long run. Though it is not the ultimate solution, bettering public transit is working towards the common good. Thus, to keep our roads and communities safe, it is time to start investing in public transportation.