News Nearby: Headed to Athens for the First Home Game of the Season?

In anticipation of the Georgia Bulldogs' first home football game, want to provide some reminders to help Dawg fans have a safe and enjoyable season of University of Georgia football.

There are five licensed taxi cab companies operating in Athens-Clarke County — 5 Star Taxi, Big Dawg Taxi, Golden Taxi, United Taxi and Your Cab. All taxi cabs are required to have a light permanently installed on the top of the vehicle and the company name must be on the front driver and passenger door and on the rear of the vehicle.

Police urge fans to avoid getting into vehicles that are not familiar unless first verifying it is one of the five licensed taxi cab companies.

Police also remind fans that parking rules will be enforced during all home games. Signs that say “No Parking” are placed in certain areas and are strictly enforced. In addition to the yellow curbs, the police department and traffic engineering will place signs and cones that clearly mark these areas. Vehicles parked in these restricted areas will be towed.

Fans are reminded to secure their vehicles and property prior to heading to the stadium. Valuables should not be left in the passenger compartment or the back seat of the vehicle where they can be seen.

County ordinances prohibit open containers containing alcoholic beverages, and police will enforce these ordinances on county streets and sidewalks. More information can be found by reading the Athens-Clarke County ordinance 6-3-12 available at municode.com.

Police remind fans that it is unlawful for people under the age of 21 to consume alcohol.

Fans old enough to consume alcoholic beverages are asked to consume them responsibly. Individuals who consume too much alcohol put themselves in a position of greater vulnerability, police say. Statistics indicate that women who are under the influence of alcohol are more frequently the victims of sexual assault. Women are encouraged to use the buddy system, particularly when consuming alcohol.

In an effort to facilitate traffic flow after the games, the police department will close southbound traffic on North Avenue at Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. This is done to allow traffic to flow continuously northbound from Thomas Street and Dougherty Street.