The Heightened Risk of Car Accidents During the Holidays

The holidays are a time of joy and happiness, time with family and friends—but unfortunately, they’re also a time of heightened danger on the road. Whether you’re staying home in Bay Minette over the holidays or headed out of the state to see loved ones, it’s important to recognize the added safety risks that come with holiday travel. Several factors contribute to an uptick in collisions, and knowing the dangers you face can help you protect yourself and your loved ones.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car crash, call the personal injury attorneys at Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell. Give us a call at 251-336-3411 and set up a consultation now.

Why Are Car Accidents More Likely During the Holidays?

When you consider how most people spend the holiday season, it makes sense that accidents are so common. To start, traffic volume is significantly higher during the holiday season than at other points of the year. People are going to parties, picking up gifts, rushing to spend time with loved ones, and wrapping up work before the New Year. This leads to serious traffic congestion and a greater likelihood of all types of collisions.

On the topic of parties, Christmas parties are huge events for many Bay Minette workplaces, families, and friend groups. Unfortunately, this means that you may come across more impaired drivers on the road than usual. An uptick in impaired drivers means a natural increase in holiday accidents.

While adverse weather is not as significant of a problem in Alabama, many parts of the country get plenty of snow and ice during the holidays. This, combined with the dense traffic, makes accidents inevitable. Despite the fact that Alabama has a relatively mild winter, be careful when Bay Minette and Chatom get their occasional dusting of snow—people tend to panic, drive too fast, and lose control of their vehicles.

Although the holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year, they can also be one of the most stressful times for many people. Those who take on too much to ensure that everything gets done may find themselves distracted or irritated while driving, putting them at risk of causing a crash.

What the Statistics Say

The Alabama Department of Transportation reports that holiday accidents are a common occurrence. Christmas is the holiday that sees the most accidents, with Thanksgiving and New Year following closely behind. It is crucial to keep this in mind while planning your holiday travel. In the week between December 24 and January 1, 2022, 14 people died in fatal crashes in Alabama. In many cases, simply slowing down or slightly adjusting your holiday plans to avoid high-risk times can keep you safe.

Staying Safe During Holiday Travel

This doesn’t mean that you have to stay home during the holidays to keep your family safe. It just means that you have to be smart about how, when, and where you travel. Try to avoid the most dangerous times, which include the holidays themselves and the weekends before and after them. If you must drive during these times, try to stick to driving during daylight hours when visibility is at its highest. When planning a drive, give yourself some buffer time to account for increased traffic or poor weather. If you know that you’re in no rush, you’re less likely to make unsafe decisions in an effort to save time.

Avoid driving while impaired this holiday season. While many people technically can drive safely after a glass or two, staying completely sober is the best way to protect yourself. Rotate the designated driver role to ensure that everyone gets a chance to celebrate how they wish.

Finally, don’t let holiday fatigue get the best of you. This time of year can be stressful, so give yourself grace while navigating your busy holiday schedule.

Injured in a Holiday Crash? Call Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell Now

If a holiday accident has left you injured, don’t just hope for the best while dealing with the insurance company. Choose the team at Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell for your car accident claim. Set up a time to talk now by contacting us online, calling our Chatom office at 251-336-3411, or calling our Bay Minette office at 251-336-3697.