Even in today’s climate, the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in Houma are popular times to travel. However, more cars on the road increases the potential for car and truck accidents. ValuePenguin analyzed data on holiday car accident fatalities from 2014 to 2018 and the results may be concerning to Louisianans.
Louisiana ties for third most holiday fatal car crashes
According to the study, Louisiana tied with New Mexico for the most fatal car accidents on Thanksgiving and Christmas at 2.19 fatalities per 100,000 residents. The only two states to rank higher were South Dakota at 2.71 fatalities per 100,000 residents and Mississippi at 2.72 fatalities per 100,000 residents.
What were some risk factors in holiday driving?
Having a glass of wine, beer or eggnog is popular during the holidays. However, alcohol often played a role in these crashes, with drunk driving being a factor in 35% of Thanksgiving motor vehicle accident fatalities and 36% of Christmas motor vehicle accident fatalities.
Time of day also played a role in these accidents. According to the study, 61% of fatal car accidents on Thanksgiving took place at night and 64% of fatal car accidents on Christmas took place at night when visibility was poorer.
Adverse weather conditions also played a role in these accidents. The study reported that adverse weather was a factor in 32% of fatal Thanksgiving car crashes and in 64% of fatal Christmas car crashes.
Many holiday car crashes are preventable
It is unfortunate that so many holiday celebrations are marred by a fatal car crash, especially if the collision could have been prevented if due care had been exercised. If you were in a car crash that was caused by another driver’s failure to drive safely, and this breach of their duty of car caused you to suffer injuries, you may want to determine what your legal rights and options are, including the possibility of pursuing compensation from the driver responsible for the crash.