Many Georgia residents may hit the road on Christmas and New Years to celebrate with friends and family who live far away. Because of this increased traffic, the number of accidents may also rise. In fact, there may have been as many as 250 people killed and 27,900 injured in car accidents this past holiday season. However, these holidays may not be the most dangerous for those on the road.
The National Safety Council recently released an estimate on the numbers of accidents and fatalities that may occur on significant holidays throughout the year. Of the six holidays considered in the report, Christmas was expected to be the safest. The difference may potentially be due to alcohol consumption. Only 35 percent of accidents on Christmas were caused by drunk drivers, the lowest of the six holidays.
The most dangerous holiday cited by the report is Independence Day, with an estimated 540 traffic deaths. Drinking and driving played a major role in making this holiday the most dangerous. New Year’s Day ranked fifth on the list, but it is the holiday in which people are most likely to drink and drive, with nearly half of the 156 estimated traffic fatalities being alcohol related.
Those who do travel during holidays may help themselves avoid an accident by driving defensively. However, some accidents caused by drunk or distracted drivers may be unavoidable, even for the most cautious and aware drivers on the road. When someone is injured in a car accident, it may benefit them to understand what rights they may have to seek compensation from the driver who caused their accident. This compensation may be needed for things like medical bills or lost wages that often result from accidents.
Source: USA Today, “24/7 Wall St.: The most dangerous holidays“, Michael B. Sauter, Thomas C. Frohlich, December 23, 2013