Holiday Accidents: The Most Dangerous Time of the Year

The holidays are just around the corner, and whether you are the type who looks forward to the holidays or who dreads them, it’s essential to stay safe. While the holidays are full of cheer, family, friends, and great food, they also come with inherent dangers. With millions of Americans traveling the busiest highways every holiday season, holiday accidents are prevalent. If you plan to travel this holiday season, we encourage you to take extra precautions and prepare ahead to leave with plenty of time. Most holiday car accidents can be prevented by making a few minor adjustments to your driving habits.

Most Dangerous Holidays

Some holidays are considered “driving holidays.” These holidays include Thanksgiving and Christmas when people travel to be with family or friends, or Memorial Day, when people travel for outdoor activities and barbeques.

In order of most dangerous to least dangerous, here is a look at the deadliest holidays for American drivers:

• New Year’s Day
• Thanksgiving
• Memorial Day Weekend
• Fourth of July
• Christmas
• Easter

On average, there is a 34% increase in car accidents during the holidays and 38% more fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 40,000 people die in car accidents in the US every year.

According to AAA, more than one-third of all Americans travel during the holiday season. Of the approximately 112 million Americans traveling for the holidays, about 100 million travel by car. With this number of people traveling, you must take extra precautions when traveling during the holidays.

Some of the most common holiday accidents include:

• Road Congestion – With more people on the road, there is a statistically higher chance of car accidents.
• Traveling Under the Influence – Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of accidents throughout the year; however, this chance increases during the holidays. When going to parties where there will be alcohol involved, it’s advised to have a designated driver or take a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft.
• Stress and Road Rage – During the busy holiday season, road rage and stress can lead to negligence and reckless driving that contributes to an accident.
• Inclement Weather – Pay attention to the weather and plan your travel accordingly. Roads are more likely to be icy and slick during the winter months, so it’s important to drive with caution.
• Failure to Maintain Vehicle – Poor vehicle maintenance is a leading cause of accidents and can be easily corrected. Before winter weather or any long-distance driving, you should take your car in for a check-up.

A few more tips to help you prevent holiday accidents:

• Remain alert and awake when driving
• Plan and leave plenty of time to reach your destination
• Avoid drinking and driving
• Avoid traveling during the busiest days and times
• Prepare for emergencies
• Avoid distractions and never text while driving
• Obey traffic laws and signs
• Pay careful attention to your surroundings and other drivers
• Drive defensively and use caution
• Check the weather forecast
• Always wear your seatbelt

Despite how safe and defensive a driver is, they can still be blindsided by a reckless driver resulting in a car accident, damages, and injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact the attorneys at Saladino & Schaaf. Our experienced lawyers can help you with your claim, deal with the insurance companies, and get the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation, contact us online or at 270-444-0406 (Paducah Office) or 270-753-1529 (Murray Office).