What are your plans this Thanksgiving? If they are to drive to celebrate at the house of family or friends, it’s crucial to know the risk you are entering into. While some might worry about the risk of a family falling out from spending too much time together, all who travel for the occasion should worry about the extra risk on the roads over this holiday.
Every year, the Thanksgiving holiday sees an increase in the number of fatalities on the road. Three main things explain this:
More vehicles on the road
Traffic can be terrible as everyone tries to get away at the same time on Wednesday. More vehicles means more chance someone makes an error that causes a crash. The frustration caused by the congestion and getting everything and everyone organized can also leave drivers below their best.
More fatigued drivers
You finish work and then need to get into the car to make the long journey to your destination. Once you arrive, you don’t get the best sleep possible. You might be sleeping on an uncomfortable sofa, crammed into one bed with your kids or staying up late into the night catching up with the others. You then get back into the car, feeling worn out to make the journey home. Plenty of other drivers do the same. Fatigue makes drivers more likely to cause a crash and less able to avoid one someone else causes.
More alcohol-affected drivers
You arrive after your drive and the host hands you a beer. Further drinks follow. The next day, someone cracks open a bottle and pours you a glass as you help prepare the meal. This carries on throughout the holiday. While you might never be “drunk” you may well drink more than usual. Alcohol inhibits good decision-making, slows reactions and induces drowsiness. Even if you don’t touch a drop, many other drivers you cross paths with will.
If a crash happens, be sure to seek legal guidance to learn about your options for compensation.