Holidays sees spike in car accidents
Salisbury, Md. – The year-end holiday period from Thanksgiving through New Year’s is always one of the most dangerous times on U.S. roads and highways, according to The National Road Safety Foundation.
The National Road Safety Foundation, a non-profit group that promotes safe driving, says the increased risk comes from a combination of factors that include impairment from alcohol and drugs, rushing during holiday seasons, lessened visibility during short winter days, and dangerous driving conditions during the ice and cold.
David Reich, public relations director of The National Road and Safety Foundation, said Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, the 24 hours of Christmas, a little more than a thousand people have died nationwide, “which is above the daily average.” According to the National Road and Safety Foundation, more drunk-driving fatalities occur during Christmas and New Year’s Eve than during any other holiday.
“The most joyous time of the year, and now a thousand families will now remember this as the most tragic time,” he said. “And they’ll never recover.”
Reich said that having a designated driver when going to family gatherings and holiday parties is a good way to travel safely.
“Passengers can also play a role in keeping everyone safe by speaking up if a driver is impaired, drowsy or driving recklessly,” he said. “Speaking up can prevent a tragedy from marring the holidays.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2022 saw 13,524 fatalities in car crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, representing 31% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. for the year, and December of that year alone saw a thousand people die in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.
Reich said drugs, both legal and illegal, are another significant factor in fatal crashes. Driving while impaired from marijuana or prescription drugs that cause drowsiness. He said it is important to check labels and be aware of possible side effects before driving. He urged drivers experiencing drowsiness to find a safe place to pull over and take a break by waiting 30 minutes for caffeine from coffee or snacks to kick in or by taking a 20-minute nap.
Reich also said that young people are more at risk for traffic accidents due to inexperience and encouraged parents to speak with their children about safe driving habits.
