The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently released the 2021 Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Forecast. It reveals that 48.3 million Americans are expected to travel by car between November 24th and 28th. With that many drivers on the road, the risk of accidents will increase.
Why Do So Many Accidents Happen During the Holidays?
No single factor is to blame for the rise in serious and fatal traffic accidents over the holidays. Thanksgiving week is a particularly dangerous time to be on the road for several reasons, including:
- Heavy traffic: The day before Thanksgiving is the heaviest travel day. Major metropolitan areas tend to experience peak congestion between 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm.
- Drunk drivers: Thanksgiving celebrations often begin on the 24th. In fact, Thanksgiving Eve is sometimes referred to as “Drinksgiving” or the biggest bar night in America. Unfortunately, when people have too much to drink before getting behind the wheel, those celebrations can quickly end in motor vehicle crashes.
- Winter weather: Snow and ice can make it harder to get to your destination safely. In many cases, winter weather conditions contribute to Thanksgiving car accidents. Slick roads are made even more dangerous when other drivers fail to use reasonable care.
- Lack of daylight: The sun is setting earlier and earlier. For holiday travelers, this can mean going home in the dark, when visibility is not as good. That may contribute to crashes.
Tips to Stay Safe on the Road
You cannot control how other people drive. However, you can take precautions, including:
- Getting a vehicle inspection before a long road trip
- Keeping off the road during peak congestion times
- Making sure that you are well rested before driving
- Considering waiting out any bad weather
- Avoiding having alcohol before driving
Get Free Legal Help After a Car Accident
Our attorney hopes that your upcoming travels will be uneventful. However, if you ever find yourself dealing with serious injuries after a motor vehicle accident, you will need a lawyer.
Call 303-993-8685 to request a free case evaluation at Jeffress Law, PC. Boulder car accident attorney Chris Jeffress helps clients from Longmont, Broomfield, and nearby Colorado areas.
