Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous times for holiday driving. Throughout the year, holidays present serious car accident risks for travelers on the road. As the National Safety Council (NSC) points out, in 2017 alone, 463 people died in motor vehicle crashes on Thanksgiving Day and tens of thousands of people sustained injuries in collisions.
According to the American Safety Council, the six most dangerous holidays for driving include the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Day, Christmas, Labor Day, and Memorial Day. All of these are holidays in which both individuals and families routinely travel to visit friends and other family members around the country, and many people choose to travel by car.
Given that we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and fewer people are flying or using other forms of public transit, it is possible that roads over this year’s Thanksgiving holiday will be even busier than usual. As such, it is more important than ever to take steps to avoid car accidents and life-threatening injuries during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday.
What Can I Do to Avoid Car Accident Injuries This Thanksgiving?
The following are safety recommendations from the NSC for avoiding collisions over Thanksgiving and upcoming holidays:
- Never drink alcohol before driving—even a drink—and recognize that the night before Thanksgiving often sees some of the highest numbers of intoxicated driving collisions all year;
- Assign a designated driver for any friends or family members who will be enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday at your home and who are planning to consume alcohol;
- Require everyone riding in the car to wear a seat belt at all times, and ensure that all younger children are appropriately restrained in an age-appropriate and size-appropriate child safety seat;
- Learn about defensive driving, and take a course before you hit the road for Thanksgiving;
- Plan for heavy traffic, recognizing that you might not meet your planned driving time on the road so that you can avoid aggressive driving behaviors or drowsy driving;
- Never use a smartphone or any other distracting devices when you are behind the wheel; and
- Make sure to get a full night of sleep the night before you leave on a lengthy car trip for Thanksgiving, understanding that drowsy driving can be a major cause of collisions and can, in some cases, be as dangerous as drunk driving.
Contact My Office to Learn More About Filing a Car Accident Claim
Travel over the holidays can be particularly dangerous, whether you are taking a lengthy road trip to visit friends and family members, or you are simply making a shorter drive to a nearby city to pick up your child from college or to see family friends for Thanksgiving dinner. Intoxicated driving, drowsy driving, and distracted driving can all lead to increased motor vehicle collisions around the holidays, and it is important to take steps to protect yourself and any family members you are transporting in your vehicle. If another driver causes a collision and you get hurt, I want to help you seek the financial compensation you need and deserve following the accident. I’ll Make Them Pay!® Contact me as soon as possible at 877.944.4373 to discuss your car accident claim.
