Holiday Driving: Motor Vehicle Crash Fatality Rates in Oregon
The holidays are a time when many people take to the roads to be with their families. Unfortunately, they are also a time when many car accidents occur. The lawyers at Schauermann Thayer Injury Law can help you fight for appropriate compensation if you have been injured in an accident.
Between increased traffic and increased instances of drunk driving, the holidays tend to bring a number of hazards on the roadways. In Oregon, the state has traditionally shown an elevated accident rate during the holiday season. Even despite Portland increasing its traffic enforcement during those times.
Reach out to the lawyers at Schauermann Thayer if you have been involved in a car accident and would like representation throughout the claim or lawsuit process.
Oregon Has High Accident Rates During the Holidays
According to the U.S. News and World Report, Oregon is the sixth most dangerous state to drive in during the holiday season. In general, the holiday season is one of the most hazardous times to drive during the year. During the holiday travel season, over 115 million Americans are expected to take to the road for trips of 50 miles or more.
Oregon Roads Have Become More Dangerous Recently
In general, the number of serious car accidents has been on the rise, both in Oregon and nationally. Trends such as an increase in distracted driving and less respect for traffic laws have contributed to the spike. More traffic on the road and a rise in the number of impaired drivers have also been factors causing more dangerous roadways. In 2022, there were 42,795 traffic fatalities nationwide, up over 18% from 2019. In Oregon, there were 601 traffic fatalities in 2022, with 58 of them occurring in December.
Why Driving During Holiday Season Is Dangerous
The most dangerous holidays on which to drive usually occur during the summer. Memorial Day is the single most dangerous holiday for drivers and their passengers because more people get behind the wheel drunk. Forty-one percent of all traffic fatalities over Memorial Day weekend involve alcohol. New Year’s Eve ranks as the fourth-most dangerous holiday, again because of the number of drunk drivers.
The reasons why holidays are so dangerous for drivers using the roadway include:
- More people are drinking alcohol and abusing other substances;
- Generally, 30% of car accident fatalities involve a drunk driver. Over the Christmas holiday period, that ratio rises to 39%.
- More cars on the road, making the volume of traffic heavier;
- More driver distractions, including using mobile devices;
- Driver fatigue in making long trips, often at night; and,
- Winter holidays may bring extreme weather to the roadways.
Portland Police Are Once Again Increasing Traffic Enforcement
Locally, the Portland Police have brought back the traffic division after a two-year absence. The division had been dormant since 2021 due to staffing issues. The division’s role is to detect dangerous drivers on the roads. The hope is that the traffic division’s efforts can cut down on the number of serious accidents, especially during dangerous times like holiday season. No doubt, police departments throughout the state will be stepping up enforcement during the holiday season in an effort to crack down on drunk driving.
Tips for Safe Holiday Driving
Although police typically increase their presence, the onus falls on drivers and other users of the roadway to exercise their own personal responsibility and make smart choices during the holiday season. To stay safe, drivers should:
- Never get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol;
- Allow extra time to make planned trips;
- Devote sole attention to the road when they are driving;
- Drive even more defensively than usual since they cannot anticipate what other drivers may do;
- Check weather conditions before leaving on a trip; and,
- Get plenty of rest before driving, especially when leaving on a long trip.
There Is a Federal Awareness Campaign in Support of Local Law Enforcement
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration runs an enforcement campaign over the holidays, typically lasting from December 15 through January 1. NHTSA is partnering with local law enforcement agencies to run a campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” In addition to increased messaging on highways, law enforcement will also run saturation patrols to catch drunk drivers.
In the end, it is up to drivers to make safe personal choices that can help protect everyone. The hope is that increased personal responsibility and stepped-up enforcement efforts can lead to a drop in serious accidents, both during the holiday season and year-round.
Contact a Portland Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, call the car accident attorneys at Schauermann Thayer to learn more about the legal process. Call us today at (360) 695-4244 to have a free initial consultation. You owe us nothing unless we help make a recovery for you.
