Here’s Why You Should Expect More Car Accidents Over the Holiday Season

The holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s tends to see some of the highest rates of motor vehicle accidents out of any other time of the year. Crash rates particularly spike over the Thanksgiving weekend, over Christmas Eve and Day, and over New Year’s Eve and Day. However, the other days during the holiday see elevated risks of auto accidents. If you plan to be out on the road this holiday season, you should expect to face a higher risk of getting into an accident. 

Car Accident Rates Increase During the Holiday Season

Over a thousand auto accident fatalities occur over just Thanksgiving weekend, Christmas Eve/Day, and New Year’s Eve/Day. Many more accidents and fatalities occur during the other days of the holidays. There are several reasons why the number of car accidents goes up during the holiday season, including:

• Increased traffic: Many people travel by car for the holidays, whether to go on vacation or to visit family and friends in another town. Traffic rates also go up as people are out and about holiday gift shopping and running other errands for the holidays.
• Adverse weather: The holiday season also means a risk of adverse weather, including icing on the road, freezing rain, fog, or snow.
• Shorter days: The holidays also see the shortest days of the year, making it more likely that drivers will be out on the road at and after sundown. 

Drunk Drivers Represent the Biggest Danger on the Road over the Holidays

However, arguably the biggest risk of car accidents during the holidays is posed by drunk drivers. As many as half of all fatal auto accidents during the holidays involve an intoxicated driver. The holidays present many opportunities for people to indulge in alcohol, whether at a holiday dinner with family or friends, going out to the bar with co-workers the evening before a long holiday weekend, or going to holiday parties being thrown by family, friends, or at the office. Unfortunately, some people may make the fatal choice of getting behind the wheel after having had too much to drink. 

Tips for Staying Safe Behind the Wheel This Holiday Season

If you plan to be out driving during this holiday season, whether going on a long road trip or simply running errands around town, here are some tips to keep in mind to help keep yourself and others on the road safe:

• If going on a long road trip, remember to plan ahead by confirming your route (including the traffic and weather conditions) and leaving extra early to ensure you arrive at your destination on time even if you hit traffic or other delays.
• Remember to ensure that your vehicle is prepared for winter, including checking your car’s fluid levels, ensuring your brakes are in good condition, and putting winter tires on your vehicle if needed. Also ensure that your tires are still properly pressurized given the drop in temperatures.
• Exercise caution while on the road, including avoiding excessive speed and leaving extra distance between you and vehicles in front of you, especially when driving after dark. 
• Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, which should include a blanket, bottled water, flares or hazard triangles, a first aid kit, gloves, and a flashlight or lantern.

Contact a Perth Amboy Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at CourtLaw represent clients injured because of car accidents in Hoboken, New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, East Orange, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 442-5900 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 163 Market St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, as well as offices in New Brunswick, Roselle, East Orange, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Linden, Newark, Paterson, South Amboy, Trenton.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.