Everybody enjoys the holidays, but the holiday season is also one of the most dangerous times you can be out on the roads. Factors such as winter weather, increased overall traffic, increased instances of drunk driving, and the overall attitudes that drivers exhibit while on the roads during the holidays make it statistically one of the most dangerous times of the year.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that around 95 million people will be on the roads over the course of the holidays this year, and statistically about 28,000 will be injured and close to 250 killed during the same time period. The majority of these accidents will be caused by either alcohol or speeding.
Worst Times To Be On The Road
Statistically, the worst holidays to be on the road in the United States, in descending order, are:
- Independence Day
- Memorial Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Labor Day
- New Year’s Eve and Day
- Christmas Day
Looking at this list, it becomes apparent what statistics have been telling us: while bad weather and drivers being less cautious due to being in a hurry are certainly factors, holidays that are known for alcohol consumption create a much greater risk to drivers. Other days that are also noteworthy for being bad times to drive, and are also rated above many of the holidays in an overall statistical breakdown, are:
- The beginning of Daylight Savings Time—a study performed by researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder found that over a 10-year period the six days immediately after daylight savings time had a reported 302 deaths caused by auto accidents, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System found that on average the Monday after Daylight Savings Time has about a 17 percent increase in traffic fatalities.
- Black Friday—on average there are between 60 and 70 million shoppers on the road during Black Friday, and a study by Progressive Insurance Company reports that this results in about double the usual number of traffic accidents, and an increase of about 36 percent in the number of car accidents that occur in parking lots.
- NFL Game Days—driving near a stadium where an NFL game is being played can be more dangerous than you think. Data collected by the Highway Loss Data Institute showed that, depending on the team, the numbers of collisions around a NFL stadium increase between approximately eight percent to over 80 percent, and that, not surprisingly, a home-team loss leads to a far greater number of collisions than a win does.
Contact An Automobile Accident Attorney
By being vigilant, and leaving early enough that you are not stressed about being late to your destination, you can greatly reduce your chances of being in an automobile accident this holiday season. Sometimes situations you can’t control do occur, and if you or a loved one has been hurt in an automobile accident this holiday season retaining an experienced Tampa automobile accident attorney will help you protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve for your injuries. The insurance companies will have attorneys on their side, and it’s important that you do too.