South Carolina Driving Dangers Increase During Holidays

Injury Lawyers for Car Accidents in Charleston, Goose Creek, and Summerville

The months of November and December are conceivably the busiest months of the year. People are hustling and bustling all over town, getting ready for the holiday season. The roads are packed with people shopping, traveling, and running errands, and people are impatient with the added traffic on the roads. With the busy holiday season comes more distracted driving, drowsy drivers, and more holiday parties and get-togethers that can lead to an increase of intoxicated drivers on the road. The combination of all of these factors can result in increased crashes during this time of the year.

South Carolina is in the region of the US that saw the most holiday-related crashes year-round, according to data from Consumer Affairs and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). From 2017 to 2021, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama collectively accounted for 37,046 crashes during holidays. These included 489 fatal crashes at Thanksgiving and 346 fatal accidents during Christmas.

Charleston, SC Drunk Driving During New Years and Christmas

The most prevalent driving hazard to be aware of during the holiday season is drunk drivers. The holidays are a time of gathering and getting together, where people attend parties and may drink more, especially leading up to and on New Year’s Eve. According to the United States Department of Transportation, every day, about 28 people die due to drunk driving crashes, which is approximately one person every 52 minutes. A total of 837 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver in December 2019.

According to the National Safety Council, drunk driving crashes increased by 9.1 percent nationwide during the New Year’s holiday for 2023. During Independence Day, the number of drunk driving crashes jumped 16.1 percent – the highest increase of any holiday that year. In 2021, alcohol was linked to 36 percent of Thanksgiving traffic deaths, 36 percent of Christmas Day traffic deaths, and 40 percent of New Year’s Day traffic deaths. All these numbers represent an increase from the 31 percent of traffic deaths that are alcohol-related each year on average.

According to a WRDW.com article, traffic deaths rise from 30% to 50% during the holidays. Clearly, there is an increased presence of drunk drivers on the road during the last two months of the year. If you must go out, be fully aware of cars and drivers around you. Be extra alert and cautious. Avoid being out late at night when bars close, parties end, and it is difficult to see in the dark. If you have been drinking, arrange for a ride home by requesting a ride from a friend, Uber, or Lyft.

Holidays and Distracted and Tired Driving Accidents

Another area of concern while driving this time of the year is an increase in distracted drivers. The holidays are a chaotic time for many families trying to juggle work, holiday events, shopping, and traveling. With full schedules and people trying to get everything done in time for the holidays, many people are multitasking while they drive. Many drivers are not fully present when they are behind the wheel, whether that is taking phone calls, RSVPing to holiday parties, texting in the family group chat, or checking on the shipping status of a present. There can be endless reasons why a driver is distracted and not paying attention, so stay on the lookout for erratic drivers.

Due to many people’s packed schedules, they are getting less sleep which has a direct impact on road safety. The likelihood of people falling asleep at the wheel increases. In 2019, 697 deaths occurred from drowsy driving-related crashes (U.S. Department of Transportation). Over Thanksgiving 2021, 55 percent of fatal crashes involving alcohol occurred between midnight and 3:00 a.m., while 42 percent occurred between 9 p.m. and midnight.

Even when drivers are sober, nighttime driving can be dangerous. The U.S. Department of Transportation notes that the most common time for drowsy driving accidents to happen is between 12:00 am and 6:00 am, or late in the afternoon because the circadian rhythm (a person’s internal body clock that regulates sleep) takes a dip during those hours of the day.

The importance of getting adequate sleep on a daily basis throughout the holidays reduces the chance of falling asleep at the wheel. If you encounter a drowsy driver or notice strange driving behavior on the road, get out of the way and steer clear of that driver. If you start to feel tired and drowsy while driving, pull over into a parking lot or rest stop and take a break from driving.

Being cautious and aware during this hectic season can save lives and may prevent accidents from happening. We want you and your family and friends to stay safe on the roads; however, if you or a loved one is in a car accident this holiday season, please reach out to us at (843) 720-2800. You can also reach us through our online contact form. We offer free consultations and our personal injury lawyers are here to help you recover.