The Thanksgiving holidays are a time when people tend to travel to spend time with friends and family. Many families in Illinois will use the break from school and work to load up their cars and drive to visit loved ones, which means there are more people on the road during this week. Because of the increased number of travelers, Thanksgiving week can be a dangerous time to be on the road.
The day before Thanksgiving is a particularly busy travel day as people are rushing to get to their destinations before Thursday. Additionally, people tend to consume more alcohol during the holidays, which can lead to an increase in drunk driving. If you are planning to travel on these days, it is in your interests to be cautious and vigilant while you are on the road.
Should you be concerned?
Statistics estimate that around 400 people will die in traffic accidents over the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays. The National Safety Council also suggests that approximately 47,500 people could also suffer injuries in car accidents. These numbers come from studying driver behavior and car crash statistics from the past few years. Thanksgiving holidays can be a dangerous time to travel for the following reasons:
- Many people choose to travel by car, meaning more people will be sharing the road at the same time.
- There is an increased rate of alcohol consumption over the Thanksgiving holidays.
- Driving has the highest fatality rate of any mode of transportation.
Around 35% of fatal accidents that take place over the Thanksgiving holidays involves alcohol impairment. No matter the time of year, each person is responsible for the choices he or she makes while driving.
You may wonder how you can stay safe as you drive this holiday season. While you cannot control the actions of others, you can take steps to increase your own personal safety. Always wear your seat belt, obey traffic laws and remain vigilant of the actions of others on the road around you.
If there is an accident
If you do suffer injuries caused by a negligent or reckless driver during the Thanksgiving holiday, you have options. One thing you may be able to do is to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. While this cannot reverse what happened to you, it can provide you a way to recover your losses and pay for some of your accident-related needs, such as medical care and property damage repair.