The Most Dangerous Travel Days in 2021

Travel days around Thanksgiving are expected to be the deadliest

No one likes to think about the holidays as a deadly time of year, but it’s true. As car accident attorneys, we are well aware of the horrible facts around the holidays because we are the ones who get the calls from our friends, telling us that someone has been hurt or has died in a car crash. How are you getting to your destination this holiday season? If you plan to drive to see your loved ones, please keep in mind that it is dangerous and take precautions. We expect an 11% increase in accidents and fatalities around the holidays based on the past spikes. Traveling during Thanksgiving is much more dangerous than other holidays. Georgia saw a huge spike last year, despite the pandemic and social distancing recommendations. The state had an 18% increase in traffic fatalities on November 24th compared to the same date in 2017!

There are best and worst days to travel during the Thanksgiving week

If you or a loved one is injured in an auto accident at any time, please call us right away. However, our hope is to provide you with tips so that you do not have to call us for help. If you plan to drive this thanksgiving holiday one of the first things you can do to reduce your chances of a crash is to be selective about your travel days. Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, and most schools, non-retail, and non-food service businesses close both for the holiday and on Friday after. Therefore Wednesday afternoon has the highest amount of travel traffic and is probably the worst day to be on the road. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Saturday and Sunday after are the worst days to be on the road. Monday before Thanksgiving and the Monday after the Thanksgiving week are much safer Travel Days.

CDC recommendations to social distancing are not a likely deterrent for holiday traffic

If 2020 is any indication of what CDC recommendations to socially distance do for holiday traffic safety, we can expect 2021 holiday roads to be heavy. Despite the fact that 2020 has the Atlanta community on lockdown, Fox 5 Atlanta reported that 2020 was the deadliest year for Georgia roads. As of December, the state reported 1,600 deaths on the roadways. Compare that to 1,491 in 2019 and 994 in 2018, according to The Georgia Department of Transportation. Traffic violations like speeding, texting, and driving, failing to buckle up are some of the most common avoidable causes of accidents that led to injuries and fatalities last year. 

Avoid becoming a statistic by following these simple steps

In addition to being selective about travel days, you can improve your chances of arriving safely to and from your holiday destination by taking simple precautions. You should observe safety rules like wearing a seat belt and being mindful of speeding signs . Getting enough rest before a long drive can also make a huge difference on the road. Survey data from the CDC reports that one in 25 adults has reported falling asleep behind the wheel. We understand that the holidays are stressful, and it can be tempting to push yourself to drive, even when you are stressed, rushed, and tired, but as your friends, we strongly advise you to reconsider. The same goes for drinking and driving. Just don’t do it. 

We care about you and want you to have an enjoyable season

Traveling to see family and friends this holiday season is a tradition that brings us joy. We want to encourage you to hope you have a safe, happy Thanksgiving, wherever and however you decide to spend it!

And remember, if you or your loved one is injured in a car accident in Atlanta and is not licensed, do not panic or stress. Call your friends at Rohan Law!