DECEMBER 16, 2021

Christmas is the Most Deadly Holiday Season on the Roads

Christmas has historically been more deadly on the roads than Thanksgiving and 2021 is not going to be any more safe to drive during the holidays

Last year travel was at an all-time modern day low across the United States and the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year will not be the same. CNN is reporting that airline travel is almost back to pre-pandemic levels. The airports and the US highways were full of travelers during Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, the historical data shows that it is likely more people will die over this Christmas Holiday than over Thanksgiving which was predicted by the National Safety Council (NSC) to be the deadliest Thanksgiving Holiday in over a decade.

Christmas, deadlier than Thanksgiving by the numbers

According to data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) between 2010 and 2019, a total of 12,610 fatalities occurred in the United States roadways during the Christmas and Thanksgiving Holidays. Researchers then broke each holiday into a 5 day period – 2 days before and 2 days after each holiday. Examination of the fatality dates proves that Christmas is significantly more dangerous than Thanksgiving. The 64% (8,068) of the fatalities occurred during the Christmas Holiday period while 34% (4,542) of the fatalities occurred during the Thanksgiving Holiday period. Kansas also followed these same statistics closely with 123 fatalities occurring and 39% (49) occurring over Thanksgiving and 61% (74) occurring over Christmas.

Christmas is the Most Deadly Holiday Season on the Roads, 2021 Image

The continued danger of drunk driving and the effect during the holidays

Nationally, 30% of the accidents in both holidays were caused by drunk drivers. Speeding was also involved in 28% of the crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period and 29% during the Christmas holiday. However, in Kansas speeding was involved in 46% of the fatalities and drunk driving was involved in 24% of the crashes.

Due to the high number of fatalities surround the winter holiday season the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued safety tips to drivers and their families traveling this Christmas season:

Safety tips for all drivers

Do not drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The holiday season often times bring families and friends together for parties and other social event which can lead to impairment. As a result, anyone under the influence of alcohol or any type of drugs should ask a sober friend for a ride or use a ride share such as Uber.
Avoid using your phone to type and read text messages or emails. Looking down for a few seconds can result in a fatality that could easily be avoided.
This time of year brings in snow and ice. As a result, check the weather conditions. No trip is worth risking your life if the roads are too dangerous to drive on.

Safety tips for older drivers

As people get older, they often times are prescribed regular medications for health issues such as diabetes, blood pressure etc. If you're going to be driving long distances or at night make sure you are not taking a medication that will affect your vision or make you drowsy.
Have you eyes checked at least once a year and make sure your glasses and/or contact prescriptions are current.

Safety tips for teenage drivers

The leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S. is car accidents.
Make sure teens are educated about following too closely and leaving the proper car lengths between vehicles when traveling at higher speeds.
Make teens understand not to turn the radio up too loud where they are unable to hear emergency sirens.
Educate your teen about the risks of driving while distracted whether by an electronic devices and/or too many friends in the car.

Safety tips for child passengers

Make sure that all children are in age and size appropriate car seats, booster45 seats and seat belts. The proper child restraints can reduce serious injuries or death up to 80 percent according to the CDC.
Don't buckle children in car seats while they are wearing bulky/puffy coats. Placing the harness over these types of coats prevents the harness from being properly snug and secure which can result in a serious injury including an ejection in the event of a crash. Buckle the child in first and then place a coat or blanker over them to keep them warm.
According to the CDC, all children 12 years old or younger should always ride in the back seat in the age and sized appropriate restraint.

You can click here to review the entire list of tips on driving safely during the holiday season from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.

For our friends that must drive this Christmas season to or from Wichita and Western Kansas

Unfortunately, car accident and truck accident attorneys are expecting this year to be an especially dangerous holiday season, especially across the interstates in the Midwest including Kansas. Due to the supply line shortage truckers are trying to drive more hours for deliveries than what is legally allowed. They often times try to take short cuts to avoid weigh and inspection stations. As a result, if you are traveling on highways like I-70, US Highway 54, US Highway 50 through cities such as Liberal, Colby, Hayes, Salina and Wichita be especially careful. Follow simple driving techniques including not driving next to semis for extended periods of time when passing them and making sure to keep safe following distances from all vehicles.

Be safe, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Bull Attorneys, P.A.