At Dale E. Anstine, Thanksgiving is one of our favorite times of year. It is a time filled with celebrating, great food and great company! Unfortunately, though, the holiday can also bring an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents and injury. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation, the number of long-distance road trips increases by 54 percent at Thanksgiving, making it the busiest travel time of the year.
Our personal injury attorneys specialize in auto accident cases and share these insights to help you prepare for your holiday travels.
Thanksgiving Eve
Thanksgiving Eve has quickly become the busiest night of the year for bars as many people return to their hometown to celebrate with friends. As a result, the occurrences of drunk driving increase the night before Thanksgiving. It is reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that 36% of fatal accidents during the Thanksgiving holiday are caused by alcohol-impaired driving. Be safe, know your limits, and if you are consuming alcohol, call a ride, grab a cab or rely on a designated driver to keep yourself and others safe.
Thanksgiving Day
Although Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with friends and family, in 2015, the NHTSA reported 447 people in the United States were killed in motor vehicle accidents over the Thanksgiving holiday. Keep in mind that there are double the amount of drivers on the road and a big increase in alcohol consumption on Thanksgiving Day. Both of these facts result in increased risks while driving.
Black Friday
Black Friday usually brings shopping to mind, but it also means crowded parking lots and high-traffic roads. Many of these shoppers and drivers are running on little sleep, high adrenaline levels, and are in a rush to reach their destinations to take advantage of time-sensitive deals. Aside from traffic accidents, insurance companies have noted Black Friday as one of the worst days of the year for parking-related accidents.
If you will be traveling on the roads this week, be extra cautious of other drivers and be a safe driver yourself. Have a designated driver, plan for enough rest to be awake and alert while driving, and take your time in the midst of Black Friday’s peak hours.
If you are injured in a car accident, reach out to the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Dale E. Anstine. Our team is proud to protect the injured across the Central PA community, with offices in York and Gettysburg. Consultations are always free, we are available 24/7, and there’s no fee unless we win for you.