What Are the Most Dangerous Holiday Driving Hazards?
What are the most dangerous holiday driving hazards? What steps should drivers take to protect themselves on the road? We're still in the heart of the holiday season, and while the major holidays are now in the rearview mirror, the same dangers exist long after the trees have been tossed and the lights are taken down. As the holidays wind down, pressured driving, fatigued driving, drunk driving, and distracted driving remain the most dangerous driving hazards for motorists. As such, drivers should continue to take added precautions well into the year to reduce their risk of an accident caused by recklessness.
Holiday Accidents in Kansas
In 2019, there were 465 accidents over the New Year's holidays. Of these, 69 resulted in personal injuries, and 3 resulted in fatalities. However, only 25 were alcohol-related accidents. This shows that law enforcement's efforts and public awareness are reducing alcohol-related accidents over New Year's.
Christmas is just behind us. In 2019, there were 114 accidents over the Christmas holiday. Of these, 26 caused personal injuries, and blessedly, none caused fatalities. In all, 10 accidents were alcohol-related.
Of course, the Super Bowl is just over the horizon. In 2019, in the 78 hours surrounding the event, there were 480 accidents. Of these, 104 caused personal injuries, and 2 resulted in fatalities. In all, 20 crashes were alcohol-related.
Statewide, the number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities over these major holiday weekends has declined at a significant rate since 2015. While the numbers show positive improvement across the board, they also highlight that these holidays remain dangerous to drive and travel.
Avoiding Dangerous Driving Behaviors Over the Holidays
Holiday accidents can spoil the fun. Next to avoiding driving during this period, the best way to protect yourself against accidents caused by recklessness is to monitor and adjust your own driving behaviors closely. This includes the following:
- Don't Drive Distracted. In 2019, 604 accidents in Kansas were caused by distracted drivers. Of these, 6 caused fatalities, and 194 caused personal injuries. When driving, stay off the phone, don't eat/drink, and keep your eyes focused firmly on the road ahead and your surroundings.
- Don't Get Aggressive. In 2019, 1,207 accidents were caused by aggressive drivers in Kansas. Of these, 33 caused fatalities, and 425 caused personal injuries. When encountering an aggressive driver, steer clear and give them a wide berth. If your own blood pressure starts to boil, pull over, go for a walk, and cool off before getting back behind the wheel.
- Slow Down. In 2019, 5,851 speed-related accidents were recorded in Kansas. 86 of these caused fatalities, and 1,558 caused personal injuries. There's no hurry to get anywhere, and pressure-related driving is a common cause of speeding, driving too fast for conditions, etc.
- Get Some Rest. In 2019, 914 accidents were caused by fatigued drivers. If you are feeling worn out by holiday fun and festivities, get a full night's rest or take a long nap before getting behind the wheel. It's the best way to ensure you will be around to celebrate the holidays at the end of 2021.
Contact Brad Pistotnik Law at 1-800-241-BRAD or call us on our local line at 316-684-4400. Brad Pistotnik is a motor vehicle accident attorney in Kansas who represents car accident victims and truck accident victims in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Texas. If your holidays turned sour because of another driver's recklessness, we can help you pursue your claims for compensation. You can call Brad Pistotnik on his cell at 316-706-5020. You can reach Tony Atterbury on his cell at 316-617-9237.