- 25% of adults report drinking more during the holiday season
- In 2017, the daily average of fatalities was 102 per day
- During six major holiday periods (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas/New Year’s Day), the average rose to 119 fatalities per day
- The stretch from Memorial Day to Labor Day, called the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” sees a 26% rise in deadly teen crashes
- The $49 billion alcohol industry earns a quarter of its profits between Thanksgiving and New Year’s
- Holiday Driving Is 13.9% More Dangerous
Holiday Motor Vehicle Accident Stats (2018 – 2022)
From 2018 to 2022, 11,100 lives were lost in motor vehicle accidents during major holiday periods, including Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Among these holidays, Labor Day recorded the highest number of fatalities at 2,462, followed closely by Thanksgiving with 2,456 and Memorial Day with 2,292.
Alcohol-Related Dangers
Alcohol-impaired driving played a significant role in holiday fatalities, accounting for 38.0% of crash deaths during these periods — an alarming 27.7% increase compared to non holiday crashes. The highest rates of alcohol-related fatalities were observed during Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, where 40.2% of deadly crashes involved drunk drivers.
Speeding and Distracted Driving
Speeding contributed to 31.1% of holiday crash deaths, while distractions behind the wheel accounted for 7.4%. The combination of these factors highlights the elevated risks drivers face during the holiday season.
Urban vs. Rural Risks
Holiday crash fatalities were slightly more common in urban areas, with 58.1% of deaths occurring in cities compared to 41.5% in rural areas. This disparity emphasizes the dangers of navigating crowded urban roads during holiday celebrations.
Record-Breaking Holiday Crashes
The deadliest holiday period within this study was Thanksgiving 2021, when 539 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes. Close behind was the Fourth of July 2021, which saw 537 deaths, with 173 fatalities occurring on the holiday itself.
COVID-19 Impact on Holidays
The COVID-19 pandemic also had a noticeable effect on traffic safety. During Thanksgiving and Christmas 2020, the nation witnessed a spike in crashes after the quarantine of the early months that kept many people away from their friends and family.
Increased Holiday Fatalities: NHTSA Reports
According to the NHTSA 2007 report, fatalities in crashes involving one or more impaired drivers show a significant spike during the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday periods. The daily fatality rate for these holidays is substantially higher compared to the rest of December, emphasizing the heightened danger on the roads during these celebrations.
The NHTSA 2019 report provides a detailed breakdown of motor vehicle crash fatalities for key holiday periods that year:
- Fourth of July: 594 fatalities
- Labor Day: 448 fatalities
- Thanksgiving: 454 fatalities
- Christmas to New Year’s Day: 799 fatalities
Christmas Travel Leads to Increased Accidents
Over the past three Christmases, it has been projected that 345 individuals may lose their lives in traffic accidents across the United States during the holiday season. This period is known for increased travel as families come together nationwide.
Furthermore, the NSC predicts there will be approximately 39,300 nonfatal injuries requiring medical attention from collisions during the holiday, with a 90% confidence range of 33,900 to 45,100 incidents.
December Holidays: Christmas Isn’t the Only Problem
Christmas alone isn’t responsible for the rise in DUI-related statistics during the holiday season. The entire month of December is packed with holiday parties, religious gatherings, and celebrations among friends, family, and coworkers—creating countless opportunities to consume alcohol.
- Holiday parties and festive drinking habits lead 16% of adults to consume more alcohol, contributing to increased alcohol-related road deaths.
- In December 2021, 1,013 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents.
The U.S. Department of Transportation highlights December as one of the riskiest months for alcohol-related crashes. - Between 2018 and 2022, an alarming 4,759 fatalities occurred in December due to impaired driving.
- In 2022 alone, 1,062 lives were lost to alcohol-related collisions, cementing December’s reputation as a particularly deadly month on the roads.
- 28% of December’s fatal crashes involve drunk drivers (NHTSA).
Final Week of the Year: Between Christmas and New Year’s
During this holiday period, 40% of traffic fatalities involve drunk drivers, marking a 12% increase compared to the rest of December. On average, there are 45 alcohol-related deaths per day during the Christmas season, which rises to 54 fatalities per day during the New Year’s holiday.
Shortest and Deadliest
New Year’s Day stands out as the deadliest day of the year for drunk driving. On this day, the likelihood of a driver being intoxicated and causing a fatal accident is 89% higher compared to the seasonal average and the day of the week on which it occurs. Unlike other holidays that spread festivities across several days, New Year’s celebrations are concentrated in a single night, with many drivers heading home during the early hours of New Year’s Day.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that fatal accidents increase by 130% on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day compared to the national average.
- Fatal crashes during this period are 13% higher than in the previous four weeks.
- Overnight fatalities surge by an alarming 136%.
- Over 40% of these overnight crashes are alcohol-related, making New Year’s the deadliest time for holiday drunk driving.
- Pedestrian Dangers: New Year’s Day is the deadliest day for pedestrians, making it critical for drivers and walkers to exercise extra caution.
Thanksgiving: Increased Travel and Alcohol Impairment
Thanksgiving is a holiday that sees a marked rise in drunk driving incidents. In 2022, 184 people lost their lives in traffic accidents involving drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
- Thanksgiving Drunk Driving Fatalities: Between 2017 and 2023, over 830 people lost their lives in Thanksgiving Day crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers.
As the busiest travel time of the year, Thanksgiving is accompanied by a spike in road dangers. The night before Thanksgiving, often called Blackout Wednesday or Drinksgiving, is one of the busiest nights for bars across the nation. It’s a time when many, particularly younger adults, gather to catch up with friends and family over drinks. From this night through the end of the year, the risk of accidents increases due to a combination of heavier traffic and a rise in alcohol consumption during the holiday season.
Holiday Accidents in Washington: A Focus on the I-5 Corridor
Winter is a season filled with celebrations like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, prompting millions of Americans to travel across cities and states. In Washington, the I-5 corridor consistently emerges as the most dangerous route during this busy season. Stretching from Everett, through Seattle and Tacoma, and even reaching Olympia, this highway sees a significant concentration of both fatal accidents and serious injuries, making it a critical area of concern for holiday travelers.