Driving home to spend the holidays with your loved ones? That's a great idea. Just be prepared for busy roads and lots of distracted drivers. Holiday travel is never a piece of cake — after all, you weren't the only one that decided to avoid chaotic airports. As the country's highways and interstates buzz with traffic, there are some facts and tips you should know before driving during the holidays.
Holiday Driving Is Often Dangerous
Ahead of every holiday season, the National Safety Council (NSC) warns drivers about holiday travel. It also tallies up how many people are estimated to lose their lives on the roads during this period.
In 2021, around Thanksgiving, an estimated 515 people lost their lives while on the road. Dozens of thousands more were injured during their trip. This was the most deadly holiday of 2021.
A few weeks later, during Christmas, the NSC estimates that 371 people diedon American roads. And just a week later, around New Year's Day, a total of 427 people diedin fatal crashes.
2022 has already proven to be a deadly year for roadway accidents. In the first quarter, there was a 7% increase in fatalities compared to the first quarter of 2021. So there's no reason to assume this holiday season won't also be deadly.
Why Is the Holiday Season So Deadly?
Holiday travel is challenging for a variety of reasons:
There are more people on the road, thus more opportunities for crashes.
Long-distance travel often means few breaks and drowsy driving.
Drunk driving is more common because alcohol is served at many holiday gatherings.
In some parts of the country, ice and sleet make driving even more prone to accidents.
5 Holiday Travel Safety Tips
Before you hit the road, be sure to commit these holiday driving safety tips to memory. They could be what gets you home safe.
Drive at a safe speed. Always stay within the speed limit and be ready to slow down in adverse road or weather conditions.
Always wear your seatbelt. It's the law and can save your life. Approximately 52% of teens who died in accidents in 2020 were not wearing seatbelts.
No distracted driving. Put your phone away and keep your eyes and mind on the road.
Assign a sober designated driver. American drivers have a serious problem with drunk driving. If you'll be drinking, pass the keys to someone who stays sober or wait until you've slept it off.
Take frequent breaks to rest. Driving for several hours straight (drowsy driving) could be as dangerous as driving drunk.
Celebrate the Holidays Not Just in Spirit
Make sure to actually celebrate the holidays with the people you love, don't become a statistic! Defensive driving classes can help keep you safe. They'll prepare you for the most dangerous, unexpected situations you'll encounter on the road. From teaching you how to deal with aggressive drivers to managing adverse weather conditions, these online classes could save your life.