The holiday season gives us many reasons to celebrate with family and friends. From Thanksgiving dinner to New Year’s Day, the festivities abound! Alcohol tends to flow freely, leading some people to overindulge.
The stress of being with family, preparing meals and shopping for the perfect gifts can be hard to handle, with many people turning to alcohol as a way to relax and unwind. Unfortunately, if they get behind the wheel after a night of merry-making, they are a danger to everyone they pass by.
Holiday drunk driving statistics
According to the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day has the highest rates of alcohol-related road fatalities.
- Drunk driving accounts for 40% of road fatalities between Christmas and New Year’s, a 12% rise over December as a whole. On a daily basis, 45 people die as a result of alcohol consumption over the Christmas season; this figure increases to 54 people per day during the New Year’s holiday.
- New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day see a significant increase in the number of DUIs and deadly accidents. Fatal collisions rise by a staggering 136% and are 13% higher than the rest of December.
- The biggest percentage of drunk drivers engaged in fatal traffic accidents were young drivers aged 21–34. This group makes up 25% of the total number of deaths.
- Fatal accidents involving drunk drivers occurred at a far greater rate for male drivers (22%) in December of 2022 than for female drivers (16%).
Between December 13 and January 1, police presence on the roads is higher as part of an initiative known as Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. The goal is to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of drunk driving.
If you or a loved one are injured by a drunk driver during the holidays, seek assistance to help you navigate the aftermath.
