Why Is Drowsy Driving So Common around the Holidays?

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When it comes to road travel, the holidays pose certain risks that are not as prevalent during other times of the year. For example, because so many people like to use the time off work to visit their loved ones, bumper-to-bumper traffic is common around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Although traffic itself is not necessarily dangerous, more cars on the road means more opportunities for motor vehicle collisions. According to CBS News, the deadliest holidays are those on which people tend to travel the most and congestion is at its worst, like Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; however, heavy traffic is not the only factor responsible for the increase in traffic-related injuries and fatalities around the holiday season.

Other road hazards that are more common around Christmas and New Year’s include impaired motorists and drowsy drivers. People drive while drunk or fatigued every single day of the year, but a lot of individuals have far more opportunities to do so when traveling or celebrating with loved ones.

If you were hurt in a motor vehicle collision with a drunk or drowsy driver, contact the Cooper Law Firm to determine if you have grounds for a claim. A compassionate accident lawyer can assess your case and help you devise the most strategic way to start building your case. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury attorney in Texas.

Why Is Drowsy Driving So Common around the Holidays?

There are drowsy drivers on roads all over the country every single day of the year, but a lot of people are far more likely to get behind the wheel while fatigued during the holiday season. There are several reasons for this, including the following:

1. People Often Take Long Road Trips to Visit Loved Ones

According to Forbes, the average Christmas road trip is 275 miles. If the speed limit was 60 mph for the entire trip and you did not hit any traffic along the way, that means it would still take you more than 4.5 hours to reach your destination.

Even though you are essentially sitting down the entire way, long road trips can be incredibly tiresome. People who travel for hours at a time without switching drivers or stopping to take breaks put everyone on the road around them at risk because they are likely experiencing fatigue’s many side effects while behind the wheel.

2. People Often Get Less Sleep around the Holidays

A lot of Americans get Christmas off, but few get time off before the holiday to shop for gifts, clean the house, or prepare food. As a result, many end up sacrificing their sleep and ultimately get behind the wheel while fatigued.

Drowsiness has many of the same effects on the body as alcohol, which means driving while fatigued can be just as dangerous as driving while impaired. Unfortunately, unlike alcohol impairment, there is no definitive test that can prove drowsiness, which makes it harder for accident victims to secure the compensation they deserve.

If you were hurt in a collision with a drowsy driver, contact the Cooper Law Firm to determine the best way to proceed. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Texas. If you want to learn more about car accident claims in Texas, visit USAttorneys.com.

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