The holiday season is a time of year when more people all over the country take to the road to visit family and friends or just get away. In addition to the simple increase in the number of drivers, snow, rain, fog, and other inclement weather can also impact driving safety.
Travelers want to arrive safely for their gatherings, so all motorists should take measures to help reduce their chances of being involved in a car accident. During the holidays, one of the primary concerns is usually the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Car Accidents Increase During Holiday Driving Travel
The personal finance website ValuePenguin published an analysis of Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showing that Christmas and New Year’s Eve both involve higher percentages of drunk driving accidents than typical periods. According to ValuePenguin, about 29.2 percent of accidents during a typical three days involve a drunk driver, but 30.7 percent of crashes around Christmas and 35.8 percent of accidents around New Year’s Eve involve drunk drivers.
Christmas and New Years’ Eve were two holidays in which fatal accidents occurred less often than the normal three-day period. The average number of fatal crashes per day between 2011 and 2015 was 83.91, making the three-day average of 250 higher than the averages of 245 for New Year’s and 231 for Christmas.
Common Causes of Holiday Car Accidents
As the statistics indicate, drunk driving is a prevalent cause of car crashes during the holidays. Another common cause of these accidents is distracted driving.
Motorists are often preoccupied with many tasks and possibly passengers in the vehicle while driving. Talking or text messaging on cell phones is a frequent distraction.
Some accidents are the result of motorists driving too fast for conditions. While one driver may blame the weather for causing an accident, that motorist is still responsible for safely operating their vehicle in the weather.
Tips for Safe Driving Travels During the Holidays
When you are driving long distances, take turns driving with other drivers in the vehicle if possible. Driver fatigue affects all people who have been awake for long periods, which can blind you from other motorists such as trucks and motorcycles, especially individuals who have been behind the wheel for several hours.
Make sure that you pack all of the proper equipment of emergencies. Make sure you have a first aid kit, warm clothes, a fire extinguisher, jumper cables, a map, a flashlight, and drinking water, for example.
Avoid drinking any alcohol if you are driving, and always focus on the road. Try to minimize your possible distractions by turning off or muting your cell phone.
Contact Us If You’ve Been in an Accident
If you sustained severe injuries or your loved one was killed in a car accident in the greater St. Louis area, you will want to retain legal counsel as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help you seek all of the compensation you are entitled to.
The record of success for Sansone & Lauber includes a $2.3 million verdict for the victim of a drunk driving accident. Call us or contact us online now to receive a free consultation.