Holidays and Road Safety – Drunk Drivers and Car Accidents

Car crashes are a leading cause of death during the holiday season, with the number of car crashes and crash-related injuries and deaths spiking between Thanksgiving and New Year’s every year. As you travel to see family and friends this holiday season, putting safety at the top of your priority list is key. Read on to learn more about holiday car accident statistics, drunk drivers, and how to avoid a collision this holiday season:

Holiday Car Accident Statistics

One thing that isn’t merry and bright about the holiday season is the fact that more people die in car accidents than at nearly any other time of year on average. To be sure, while the numbers vary year to year, data show that an average of 343 people die in traffic-related accidents during the Christmas period and another 373 people die in traffic-related accidents during the New Year’s period. And Thanksgiving isn’t any better—in 2019, an estimated 454 people died in traffic-related accidents over the holiday period.

Drunk Drivers During the Holidays

While there are many things that contribute to the increase in car accidents over the holidays, including things like increased traffic and bad weather, one of the most prominent causes of accidents is an increase in the number of drunk drivers on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), during the New Year’s and Christmas periods in 2018, there were 285 drunk driving-related fatalities.

How to Avoid a Holiday Car Accident

The majority of car accidents that occur over the holiday period are 100 percent avoidable, and hundreds of lives could potentially be saved every holiday season if drivers adopted safer driving behaviors. As you travel to and fro’ this holiday season, consider the following tips for avoiding a holiday car accident:

• Assign a designated driver. If you’ll be going to any parties or imbibing alcohol while out, make sure that you create a plan for getting home safely before you start drinking. This might mean assigning a member of your party as the designated driver, scheduling a cab in advance, calling a rideshare service, asking a friend to pick you up, or planning to take the bus or another form of public transit. Whatever you do, do not get behind the wheel of the car while intoxicated, and do not get in a vehicle with a driver who’s been drinking.
• Make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter weather. While drunk drivers are one of the top causes of holiday accidents, they’re not the only ones. Winter weather can also lead to crashes. If you’re traveling to a location where snow and ice may be present, make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter weather. Snow tires or chains might be necessary, and at the very least you’ll want working windshield wipers. If you are driving in bad weather, slow your speed and increase your following distance.
• Know your route. If you’re traveling to a new or unfamiliar location for the holidays, you may be navigating roads that are new to you. This can lead to looking at your map, making erratic and last-minute turns, and driving at unsafe speeds. Before you get in the car, make sure to review your route in advance and have a strong understanding of where you’re going. In doing this, you can also familiarize yourself with roads that are expected to have the highest amounts of traffic and, if possible, plan an alternate route.
• Put away distractions. Distracted driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. If you’re someone who’s tempted to look at your phone while behind the wheel of a car, put your phone out of sight and reach. The most important thing that you can do when driving is to keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and your mind on driving.
• Drive defensively. Finally, note that even if you’re driving safely, others on the road may not be as responsible as you are. Drive defensively and keep a safe distance from drivers that are driving aggressively or erratically.

Have a Safe and Merry Holiday Season

As wonderful as the holidays are, they can also be a time of great sadness when dangerous drivers take to the roads. This holiday season, do everything you can to avoid an accident by following the above safety tips. If you are in an accident, make sure you report it to the police, seek medical care, and consider your legal options.