The holiday season in the U.S. is known for a rise in dangerous driving conditions, fueled by increased travel, celebrations, and alcohol consumption. During this time, 25% of adults report consuming more alcohol than usual, significantly contributing to the increase in traffic-related fatalities. The alcohol industry, which generates $49 billion annually, sees nearly a quarter of its profits during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. This elevated alcohol consumption is one of the major factors leading to the increased risk on the roads.
December Car Accident Statistics
December consistently emerges as the deadliest month for drivers. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), over 345 individuals are projected to lose their lives in traffic accidents during the holiday season. Over the course of the month, approximately 39,300 nonfatal injuries requiring medical attention are expected due to crashes, with a predicted range of 33,900 to 45,100 incidents. Between 2018 and 2022, a staggering 4,759 fatalities occurred during December due to impaired driving, and 1,062 of those were recorded in 2022 alone. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 28% of fatal crashes during this time involved alcohol, making December particularly dangerous.
Christmas Car Accidents
WhileChristmas is often considered the central holiday of the season, it is the entire month of December that contributes to the rise in traffic accidents. Holiday parties, family gatherings, and religious celebrations create countless opportunities for alcohol consumption. According to the NHTSA, holiday parties and festive drinking habits lead 16% of adults to drink more alcohol, which results in a rise in alcohol-related crashes. In December 2021, 1,013 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents. This highlights how the entire month is filled with heightened risks, not just the days surrounding Christmas itself.
Car Accidents on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
The final week of December is especially dangerous. Between Christmas andNew Year’s , 40% of traffic fatalities involve drunk drivers, a 12% increase compared to the rest of the month. On average, there are 45 alcohol-related deaths per day during the Christmas season, which increases to 54 fatalities per day during the New Year’s holiday. New Year’s Day stands out as the deadliest day for drunk driving, with an 89% higher likelihood of fatal accidents involving intoxicated drivers compared to the rest of the year. New Year’s celebrations are concentrated in a single night, leading to a spike in alcohol-related crashes during the early hours of the following day. The NHTSA reports a 130% increase in fatal crashes on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day compared to the national average, with overnight fatalities surging by 136%. Additionally, over 40% of these overnight crashes are alcohol-related, solidifying New Year’s as the deadliest time for holiday drunk driving.
Pedestrian Dangers Resulting From Holiday Drinking
New Year’s Day also proves to be the deadliest day for pedestrians. The surge in alcohol consumption combined with increased vehicle traffic creates a hazardous environment for walkers, especially in the early hours of the morning when many are returning home from celebrations. Drivers and pedestrians alike must exercise caution to avoid tragic accidents.
NHTSA Reports on Holiday Fatalities
According to the NHTSA 2007 report, fatalities in crashes involving impaired drivers see a significant spike during both Christmas and New Year’s Day, as well as the days leading up to these holidays. The daily fatality rate for these holidays is substantially higher than for the rest of December, highlighting the danger on the roads. In the 2019 NHTSA report, a breakdown of fatalities for key holiday periods revealed the following:
- Fourth of July: 594 fatalities
- Labor Day: 448 fatalities
- Thanksgiving: 454 fatalities
- Christmas to New Year’s Day: 799 fatalities
This shows that while other holidays like Thanksgiving and Labor Day contribute to fatal crashes, the period from Christmas to New Year’s remains the deadliest time on the road, underscoring the heightened risks of impaired driving, festive drinking, and congested travel.
The combination of increased travel, alcohol consumption, and festive distractions makes December the deadliest month for driving in the United States, with both drivers and pedestrians at heightened risk. The statistics serve as a crucial reminder for all to exercise extra caution on the roads during this time of year.