The holiday season is just around the corner! For many families across the county, this means packing up the car and hitting the road to visit loved ones for this special time of the year. In fact, statistics from the Bureau of Transportation show that 91% of long-distance holiday travel in the U.S. is done by car.
Unfortunately, while this time of year is meant to be joyful and relaxing, there is also a spike in car accidents during the holiday season.
Holiday Car Accident Statistics
We pulled a list of statistics showing the prominence of car accidents during the month of December:
In 2016, 781 people lost their lives in drunk-driving-related crashes in the month of December alone.
Nationally, over the past 5 years, an average of 300 people died in drunk driving crashes the week between Christmas and New Year.
An average of 343 people die in traffic collisions each year during the three-day Christmas holiday period.
An average of 373 people die in traffic collisions each year over the three-day New Year holiday.
Causes of Accidents During this Time
There are several reasons why the number of car accidents increases during this time of the year:
Congestion
Travel increases by 23% during the Christmas/New Year’s holiday period, which means there will be more vehicles on the road. This can lead to congested roads and more frequently-occurring car collisions.
Drunk Driving
Drinking and driving is common during this time of year, as many people celebrate at holiday parties with alcoholic beverages.
Distracted Driving
Cell phones can be a major distraction during the holidays, as drivers are also trying to double-check holiday plans and navigate the roads.
Stress
This time of year can be stressful for many Americans who are traveling to buy decorations, gifts, and good. This can lead to an increase in driver fatigue as well as road rage and other negligent driving behaviors.
Armed with the information provided above, we hope you and your family make the most of your holidays and stay safe while traveling. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident during the holiday season, remember that our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys are here to fight hard for your financial recovery.
Contact Rudenberg & Glasser at (954) 543-1788 to schedule your free consultation with our firm.