Why do more accidents happen at Christmas time?

Across America, car accidents and accident fatalities increase significantly during many holidays. This is especially true for the “holiday season”, where car accidents sharply rise in the days before and after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Do more traffic fatalities occur on Christmas?

There’s significant evidence to suggest that Christmas is one of the deadlier times of the year for Americans on the road. 

The National Safety Council states that across a 6-year average from 2015-2021, 309 traffic fatalities occur on the day before, during, and after December 25th, with the highest number being 376 deaths during the 3-day Christmas period of 2021. (source 1)

Within this same 6-year average, it seems that Christmas accidents account for nearly 10% of all car deaths in the month of December, with the highest percentage of 9.6% being recorded for both 2016 and 2021’s death tolls.

Using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST), 2021’s average daily traffic fatalities count in America was 109 deaths. Therefore, in 2021, any individual day within the 3-day Christmas holiday period sees a rise in traffic fatalities of nearly 15%. (source 2)

When taking data from previous years into account as well, the Christmas season correlates to a consistent 10-15% increase in traffic fatalities overall.

What causes Christmas accidents?

As with car accidents in non-Holiday periods, the amount of Christmas car accidents are commonly affected by the following factors:

• Drunk driving (source 3)

• Distracted driving (source 4)

• Speeding (source 5)

• Drowsy driving (source 6)

• Teen driving (source 7)

• Severe / winter weather (source 8)

• Common errors in human judgment, made in split-second decisions (source 9)

Do more people commit DUIs on Christmas?

The National Safety Council has consistently observed an increase in alcohol-related traffic fatalities on Christmas Day, compared to the national annual average, using data ranging from the years 1982 to 2021. Every year from 1982 to 2021, except for 1991, the drunk driving accident deaths were higher on Christmas Day than throughout the rest of that year.

In 2021, 31% of reported traffic fatalities were related to drunk driving throughout the year. However, 36% of Christmas Day traffic fatalities were found to be alcohol-related. 

For reference, the widest difference is seen in the year 1989, where Christmas Day alcohol-related traffic fatalities accounted for 49% of total accident deaths, compared to only 38% of accident deaths being related to alcohol throughout the year. 

Using the years 2000 - 2021, there seems to be a consistent 6 - 7% increase in alcohol-related traffic fatalities during Christmas Day, compared to the entire year. (source 10)

What are some safety tips for driving during Christmas?

• Prepare your car for winter properly 

• For example, use winter tires or all-season tires that haven’t balded, test your battery, keep your gas tank at least half full, etc.. (source 11)

• Keep an emergency car kit with you and regularly replace expired items

• For example, a fully inflated spare tire as well as a lug wrench and car jack, jumper cables, reflective triangles and high-vis reflective vest, first aid kit, compass, flashlight with batteries, fire extinguisher, etc.. (source 12)

• Get a good night’s sleep the night before

• Leave early to avoid traffic

• Stow away cellphones 

• Practice defensive driving

• Have a designated driver to escort drunk or medicated guests home afterwards.

- (source 13)

If you have been involved in a car accident during Christmas, don’t hesitate to seek justice! With a decade of experience, the attorneys of Win Nguyen Law are proud to serve the communities of Westminster, Garden Grove, Stanton, Long Beach, Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Santa Ana, Cypress, Cerritos, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Tustin, and more with their legal expertise for all accidents.

Sources:

1. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/christmas-day/data-details/

2. https://cdan.dot.gov/query

3. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving

4. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

5. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding

6. https://www.thensf.org/drowsy-driving-prevention/

7. https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving

8. https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips#:~:text=In%202022%20there%20were%20498%20fatal%20traffic%20crashes%2C,%E2%80%93%20for%20winter%20weather%20is%20key.%20Slow%20down.

9. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811059

10. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSweJGlqJsuJ9IWXLtEQyTJKqZjshSH0oT_O-2F95NldCafsQ4csPKMD-vKVWnilDmkURR-GrwjAQRu/pubhtml#

11. https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/winter-safety/driving

12. https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/emergency-preparedness/emergency-supplies-for-car

13. https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/winter-safety/holiday