Thanksgiving Travel Statistics & Safety Tips

Millions of people across the U.S. will travel by road to go somewhere for the Thanksgiving weekend, whether that be to visit with family and friends or simply to go on vacation. However, with millions of cars on the road over the weekend, that means an increased risk of accidents. Since Thanksgiving is meant to be a time of gathering and celebration, we can all take steps to help keep the roads a little safer when traveling over Thanksgiving weekend. 

Thanksgiving Weekend Travel Stats

As many as 110 million Americans plan to travel some distance to celebrate Thanksgiving in 2021. Of those, nearly 70 percent plan to travel by car, with the rest traveling by public transportation (bus, commuter rail), train, or plane. The National Safety Council has found that an average Thanksgiving sees between 400 and 600 road fatalities, with another 40,000 to 70,000 injuries from auto accidents. Of Thanksgiving day road fatalities, between 30 and 50 percent of all fatal accidents involved alcohol impairment. In addition, most people killed in road accidents on Thanksgiving were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident. 

Other causes of Thanksgiving auto accidents include speed, distracted driving, and drowsy/fatigued driving. Weather also played a role in about a third of all Thanksgiving accidents. 

Tips for Staying Safe on the Road This Thanksgiving

If you plan on driving over the Thanksgiving weekend, whether traveling to or returning from visiting family or friends, or going on vacation, or simply driving around your town to shop Black Friday deals, here are some tips to keep in mind to help stay safe out on the road:

• If you are traveling out of town, make sure to plan ahead. Know the route you are traveling, and program it into your navigation device, cell phone, or vehicle infotainment system before setting off. Also make sure to check the traffic and weather conditions along your route. Most importantly, try to leave early to account for traffic or weather delays. That way, you won’t feel stressed about arriving late and feel the need to drive fast or aggressively to try to make up time.
• When traveling a long distance, make sure to stop regularly to take a break, including getting out of the car, stretching, taking a short walk, and drinking some water. This will help keep you fresh and alert. If you are traveling with others, consider trading off driving duties. Avoid driving late at night or after a long day at work, as you may more quickly become fatigued or drowsy. If you do start to feel tired behind the wheel, pull over into a well-lit rest stop or parking lot to take a short nap, which can give you a boost of energy. If that doesn’t help, find the nearest hotel to spend the night.
• Never drink and drive. If you plan to consume alcohol with your Thanksgiving dinner, make sure to consume responsibly or have a designated driver who will stay sober. Alternatively, make other travel arrangements, such as calling a cab or rideshare. Or, you can make plans to spend the night at your destination.

Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in Florida

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients injured because of car accidents in Coconut Creek, Plantation, Pompano Beach, and Pembroke Pines, and throughout Florida. Call (954) 525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Plantation, and Pompano Beach.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly