Increased Risks of Collisions During the Holiday Season

Although the holidays are supposed to be a joyous time, there are serious risks that you may face, especially when you go out on the road and travel long distances. Car accidents are more common during the holiday season and often involve more serious injuries. Driving defensively and exercising care can only go so far.

According to government statistics, the number of fatal car accidents increases markedly during the holiday season. In general, there are greater risks that motorists face during the holiday season that do not just come from adverse weather. While driving defensively can contribute to your safety on the road, you have no control over what other drivers may do behind the wheel. The number of motor vehicle accidents rises in a number of contexts:

• Truck accidents spike around the holiday season because there are more commercial vehicles on the road, making deliveries on behalf of suppliers and retailers
• Motorcyclists are in an increased amount of danger because drivers are often distracted and do not see them
• Individual motorists cause more crashes due to a number of reasons described below

Driving in the winter timeframe is dangerous enough in Washington and Oregon because of the unpredictable and inclement weather. The holiday season introduces a number of new risk factors that compound this danger.

Holiday Drunk Driving Accidents

Studies show that alcohol consumption, in general, spikes during the last two weeks of December. One study revealed that alcohol consumption is 70% higher during this time period. The rise in drinking alcohol begins before Christmas when employers have holiday parties, and it continues through New Year’s, when a large percentage of the population engages in binge drinking. Increased alcohol consumption, whether it is at holiday parties or with family, invariably leads to a rise in drunk driving accidents. Drunk driving fatalities make up a higher proportion of fatal car accidents during the holiday season. Drunk driving car accidents tend to result in more serious injuries because they often occur at higher speeds or due to other forms of reckless driving.

Drivers Are More Distracted During the Holidays

Any overall increase in activity associated with the holidays means that drivers will have more on their Minds when they are behind the wheel. They may be gathering information on their mobile devices or making plans while they are driving. Even if a motorist is not on their phone when they are driving, they may be lost in thought, contemplating the upcoming holiday season. Motorists need to pay full attention when they are operating their car, and the goings-on of the holiday season can take away their focus.

Drivers May Be Fatigued and Stressed

Not only may a driver lose focus because they are distracted, but they may also not be as sharp due to fatigue. Both holiday plans and shopping can cause one to become mentally and physically tired. Fatigued driving is not necessarily limited to instances in which a driver does not get enough sleep. Stress, and other happenings in the motorist’s life, can also take away from a driver’s reflexes. Then, the motorist may not have the same ability to respond to traffic challenges on the road in time to avoid a serious accident.

There Is More Traffic on the Roads During the Holidays

Holiday traffic tends to ebb and flow based on the exact time. Traffic volumes are often at their highest during the week before Christmas. Then, there is a combination of people who are on the roads to run errands, such as shopping, and those who are traveling to spend the holidays with their families. In addition, there are more commercial vehicles on the road because of the increase in retail activity. The result is that drivers must contend with more congested roadways, which raises the risk of a car accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident around the holidays, it is vital that you take action immediately to initiate the legal process. You cannot wait until you gather your bearings after the start of the year because you may lose valuable evidence that you need to prove your case.

Contact a Vancouver Car Accident Law Firm

Contact our office for  free initial consultation with a Vancouver car accident lawyer at Schauermann Thayer by visiting our website or by calling us today at (360) 695-4244.