Safe Holiday Driving: Tips and Insights for Driving During the Holidays

TL;DR: Holiday driving is riskier due to increased traffic, distractions, speeding, and impaired driving. Stay safe by practicing defensive driving, preparing your vehicle, and planning smart travel.

The period between Christmas and New Year's sees significantly higher traffic volumes, leading to an increase in car accidents. Winter weather such as snow, ice, and rain further raises risk levels. Driving defensively — staying alert and anticipating hazards — is key to navigating holiday roads safely.

By the Numbers: Holiday Driving Statistics

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that during the 2024-2025 holiday season, 310 people may die on U.S. roads between Christmas and New Year's Day—131 during the Christmas holiday period and 179 during the New Year's period. These deaths are driven by heavy traffic, reckless driving, and adverse weather conditions.

Speeding

Data from Arity, analyzing tens of millions of U.S. drivers, shows that high-speed driving (80+ mph) was 68% higher on Christmas Day 2023 compared to the overall annual average. Christmas Day sees both longer trip distances and more instances of high-speed driving, with drivers traveling further and faster despite lower overall traffic volumes.

Distracted Driving

According to Arity's 2025 Driving Behavior Report, distracted driving rates have been trending downward overall but continue to spike during holidays. Holiday periods show significantly higher levels of phone handling behind the wheel compared to non-holiday periods, particularly during summer holidays and year-end celebrations.

Impaired Driving

Alcohol-impaired driving remains a major factor in holiday fatalities. According to NSC data, in previous years, impaired driving represented 38% of Christmas fatalities and 37% of New Year's fatalities. NHTSA statistics show that during the 2022 New Year's Day holiday period, 37% of fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 g/dL or higher. Coupled with winter weather, crash risk drastically increases. Annually, over 1,300 lives are lost on snowy, icy roads.

Stay Safe With Defensive Driving

Enroll in a defensive driving course to learn valuable skills that reduce accident risk, including:

1. Situational Awareness: Constantly scan your surroundings for pedestrians, cyclists, and potential hazards, including blind spots.
2. Intersection Safety: Understand that intersections account for approximately 25% of traffic fatalities annually; learn cautious navigation techniques.
3. Safe Following Distance: Use the three-second rule to maintain a safe gap with the vehicle ahead.
4. Hazard Anticipation: Recognize warning signs from other drivers to prepare for sudden moves like lane changes or stops.
5. Defensive Maneuvers: Train to react quickly and correctly to emergencies such as skid recovery and obstacle avoidance.

Taking a course early can help you avoid common mistakes. Don't let defensive driving myths prevent you from improving your skills, and if you're wondering about timing, taking a course before year-end can maximize your benefits.

Prepare Your Vehicle and Trip

• Vehicle Inspection: Get your tires, brakes, wipers, and lights checked to ensure optimal performance.
• Emergency Kit: Carry jumper cables, reflective triangles, blankets, water, snacks, and emergency contacts. See our car emergency kit guide.
• Route Planning: Use apps like Google Maps or Waze to find the quickest, safest routes and real-time traffic updates.
• Keep Passengers Engaged: Bring games or music to keep children entertained and prevent driver distraction.

Winter conditions require extra attention. Understanding defensive driving in bad weather can significantly reduce your crash risk during holiday travel.

Common Holiday Driving Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

• Traveling on Peak Days: Avoid December 23 for departures and December 26 for returns to reduce exposure to heavy traffic.
• Rushing: Pack early and leave with ample time to avoid stress and hurried driving.
• Impatience: Congestion can lead to road rage. Stay calm with calming music or podcasts. Learning to manage road rage helps you stay composed in holiday traffic.

Conclusion

Holiday roads present unique challenges amplified by increased traffic and weather conditions. Embracing a defensive driving mindset helps you anticipate dangers and stay safe. Investing in advanced defensive driving techniques benefits you year-round and particularly during the holidays.

If you're a mature driver preparing for winter travel, consider how winter driving safety tips can help you navigate challenging conditions with confidence.

Updated 12/10/2025