Why Auto Accident Rates Increase During the Holidays

It’s mid-November already, and with the holidays just around the corner, many people and their families are preparing to hit the road to celebrate in other destinations. As many people are already familiar, travel during the holidays can mean an abundance of holiday traffic and highway jams. If you plan to spend some time driving this year, it is important to be aware of a few safety reminders to ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible.

No matter how careful a driver you are, there are a number of other factors that could still contribute to a car accident. Especially around the holidays, drivers are susceptible to the following dangers:

• Drunk drivers. Many holiday get-togethers involve alcohol, and those who get behind the wheel before they are fully sober risk getting into an accident.
• Stop-and-go traffic. Rear-end accidents are very common on crowded, slow-moving highways.
• Fatigued and/or impatient drivers. Holiday drivers who have been on the road for many hours are anxious to get to their destination, making them more likely to speed. Fatigued drivers, too, who have driven for long stretches without resting are another potential danger.
• Adverse weather conditions. With many people driving out of town to spend their holidays away from home, the number of people getting caught in poor weather conditions unprepared increases. Drivers who are not prepared to deal with snowy or icy conditions put themselves at risk.

Holiday Drunk Driving

Drunk driving tends to spike around the holidays, especially in the few days before and after New Year’s Day. The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that over 40% of fatal car crashes that occur during the holidays involve intoxicated drivers. To put this into perspective, throughout the rest of the year, the daily average for traffic accident deaths is 36, while around the holidays, that number jumps to around 54 deaths per day.

Automobile Negligence Claims in Austin

Have you been injured in a traffic accident? Consult with an Austin car accident lawyer at The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC. If your accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, you may be eligible to pursue financial compensation. When you work with our firm, you can rest assured that our team has what it takes to protect your best interests and possibly increase your chances of receiving just compensation.

Get in touch with our nationally recognized firm to schedule your free consultation today!