The holidays are an exciting time filled with joy and celebration. These exciting times can also increase risk when you get behind the wheel. Whether you're visiting family down the street or across the country, check out this recent data and use it to stay safe this holiday season.
The Holidays Bring More People on the Roads
A survey of 2,000 people found that 64% of Americans plan on traveling during the 2024 holiday season. Of those, 51% plan on driving and 13% plan on flying to their destinations. This puts more people on the road than you typically would encounter on a normal day, increasing your odds of an accident.
The reason so many people are driving could tie back to the COVID-19 pandemic. During COVID, people feared infection and scorned public transit, so they bought their own cars and shied away from planes and trains. As of September 2023, public transit ridership is still at only 74% of its highs in 2019 pre-COVID.
If you can, avoid traveling at peak hours and the days right before and after a holiday. This will allow you to deal with fewer cars on the road. Just be safe if you drive at night, since 50% of all accidents occur in the dark, even though only a quarter of all drivers travel then.
Deadly Drunk (and Drowsy) Driving Holiday Statistics
It comes as no surprise that the rate of drunk driving goes up when the holiday season rolls around. During the month of December from 2017 through 2021, there were over 4,500 deaths due to drunk driving, according to the NHTSA. December 2017 alone brought 1,013 of these deaths, the most since 2007.
Fatigued driving is just as bad as drunk driving. The effects of being awake for 18 hours are similar to a 0.05% blood alcohol level (BAL). When you're awake for 20 hours, it's akin to a 0.08% BAL (most states' legal limit). Twenty-four hours is equivalent to a 0.1% BAL. The NHTSA says 693 people died in 2022 from behind tired behind the wheel.
Never get behind the wheel after you've consumed alcohol or any other drug. Call a ride or have a designated driver. If you're feeling tired, pull over. Always get at least eight hours of sleep before a road trip so you're alert and ready.
Distracted Driving Holiday Statistics
Most people have something on their mind when they're driving around the holidays. You might be thinking of that last-minute gift you still need to get your spouse or how you're going accommodate all of your guests. Distracted driving is anything that takes your focus off of the road, and it killed over 3,300 drivers in 2022.
Avoid distracted driving by keeping your focus on the road at all times and keeping your cell phone off or in GPS mode. Let your family and friends know about your travel plans so they know not to bother you when you're driving.
Driving in Dangerous Winter Weather Conditions
Depending on where you live, the holidays could be a picturesque snow globe or a sunny day in the south. If you live in a northern state, there's a good chance you'll encounter winter storms on your holiday travels.
You should know the following tips for driving in the snow or ice:
Slow down — It is much easier to lose traction on snow, especially when accelerating.
Don't brake hard — Slamming on your breaks almost guarantees you'll skid if you're on snow or ice.
Leave a bigger gap — Increase your following distance by a few seconds in case someone loses control.
Outside of knowing the proper driving techniques, prepare your car for the upcoming winter. Use snow tires if needed, top off our fluids, and inflate your tires. It can't hurt to keep an emergency kit in your car and bolster it for winter with extra blankets.
Stay Safe This Holiday Season
Cherish your time with friends and family as much as you can this upcoming holiday season. Enjoy your celebrations, but just be careful on your travels. Be aware of the extra drivers on the road, avoid driving under the influence and distracted driving, and take your time in inclement conditions.
One way to reinforce your travel safety knowledge is by signing up for a driver's ed course at Aceable.com. Our approachable learning techniques are accessible from anywhere on any of your devices.
Updated 12/05/2024