The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identifies Thanksgiving as a particularly hazardous time for road travel. In recent years, November and December have seen over 32,000 fatalities due to motor vehicle accidents, equating to about 1.2 fatal crashes per 100 million miles driven.
Interestingly, Northern states, often associated with challenging winter weather, report lower rates of holiday road fatalities. In contrast, Southeastern states, particularly South Carolina, have higher incidences of fatal crashes. South Carolina stands out as the deadliest state for holiday driving, with a rate of over 1.9 fatalities per 100 million miles driven from 2017 to 2021. Other high-risk states include Mississippi, Louisiana, Montana, and Florida.
Men are predominantly the victims in these accidents, making up nearly 70% of fatalities. Factors contributing to these accidents include speeding, distracted driving, and adverse weather conditions.
Around Thanksgiving, incidents involving drunken drivers surge, particularly the Wednesday before, known as “Drinksgiving” or “Blackout Wednesday,” sees a spike in accidents involving drunken drivers. Over recent Thanksgiving weekends, more than 830 people lost their lives in crashes involving a drunken driver.
The National Safety Council cautions that the Thanksgiving holiday could see over 500 preventable traffic deaths. Drivers are advised to be vigilant, especially at night, avoid distractions and driving under the influence, and be mindful of weather conditions.
