The Thanksgiving holiday is one of my favorite holidays of the year. For one, I’m a huge football fan and played high school football here in Massachusetts. And, if you played high school football in Massachusetts, you know the Thanksgiving Day rivalry games are a huge part of high school football.
It’s also a nice break as we edge into the colder winter months and get to spend some quality time with family and friends. The feast is always another much anticipated part of this holiday. Despite all the fun Thanksgiving offers, however, a lurking danger is the hazards and risk of injuries on the Massachusetts highways and roadways during the busiest holiday for travel.
2024 Thanksgiving Holiday is Projected to be One of the Busiest for Travel
AAA has projected that over the Thanksgiving holiday, a record setting 79.9 million travelers are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home. This is an increase of nearly 2 million people from last year.
Of the nearly 80 million people expected to travel during this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, almost 72 million are projected to travel by car. According to AAA, this will add another 1.3 million cars on the roads compared to 2023 and will even surpass the pre-pandemic numbers.
As a personal injury attorney in Massachusetts specializing in car accidents, I always see an increase in calls from potential clients for car crashes and injuries during busy holidays. With the projections AAA is forecasting, I wanted to share this information in hopes of helping keep our roads safe for everyone.
Common Hazards During Busy Holiday Travel Times
The Thanksgiving holiday weekend can be particularly hazardous due to a combination of many factors. Below are a few of the most common dangers to be aware of during the Thanksgiving holiday:
Increased Traffic Congestion
As mentioned above, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year, with millions hitting the road. This will, obviously, lead to heavy traffic and longer travel times. Congestion on the roads and highways coupled with travelers running late to their Thanksgiving destination increases the risk of rear-end collisions and road rage incidents that often result in serious injuries.
Higher Risk of Drunk Driving
It should come as no surprise that Thanksgiving is a holiday that is usually celebrated by having a few alcoholic drinks. While there is generally nothing wrong with this, it is well documented that alcohol consumption tends to contribute to more drunk driving accidents, especially on Thanksgiving Eve, sometimes referred to as “Blackout Wednesday.” Impaired driving is a major risk for all of us on the roads and is known to be a major cause of motor vehicle accidents and severe injuries. So, this holiday, be aware of drunk drivers and, if you plan to drink, make arrangements for safe transportation.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major issue plaguing our Massachusetts roads and highways. But it tends to be more of an issue and dangerous during holidays. Holiday excitement or stress can lead to a lack of focus and distractions behind the wheel. For example, drivers during Thanksgiving tend to engage in activities behind the wheel like eating, talking, and/or dealing with children in the car, which all can lead to distracted driving.
Also, over the Thanksgiving holiday, many drivers are traveling to and navigating unfamiliar areas. Being unfamiliar with routes and the more difficult to navigate highways and roads in Massachusetts, these travelers may rely heavily on GPS, which can lead to distractions behind the wheel. These distractions all increase the risks of car crashes and injuries.
Drowsy Driving
Travelers expecting to drive 50 miles or more from home along with highway and roadway congestion can lead to longer driving times and fatigue behind the wheel. This has been well documented to impair a driver’s reaction times and decision-making. Additionally, early morning or late-night drives to avoid traffic can also exacerbate drowsiness. This creates another hazardous driving situation leading to car crashes.
Here are a Few Safety Tips for Driving During Thanksgiving
Being mindful of the above hazards and following safety precautions can help ensure a safe trip during the holiday weekend for you, your loved ones, and other travelers on the roads.
Plan Ahead
Allow for extra time to account for the anticipated heavy traffic and delays this Thanksgiving.
Avoid Peak Travel Times
Travelearly in the morning or late at night when roads are less congested but make sure you are well rested.
Stay Sober
Never drink and drive and watch for impaired drivers. However, if you plan to drink, make sure you plan for someone else to drive.
Stay Rested
Ensure you’re well-rested before hitting the road especially if you plan to get an early start or drive late at night.
Prepare for Weather
Check the weather forecast. It looks like it may rain here in Massachusetts this Thanksgiving so check out our article Tips for Driving Safely in the Rainy Weather in Massachusetts for extra tips.
Drive Defensively
The roads and highways are expected to be heavily congested this Thanksgiving. So, be patient and give yourself plenty of space from other vehicles.
If You are Injured in a Car Crash this Thanksgiving – We are Here to Help
Regardless of how vigilant we are behind the wheel; some car accidents are unavoidable. We cannot control the actions of others and, unfortunately, car crashes and serious injuries are major risks during holidays such as Thanksgiving.
If you are injured in a car crash over the Thanksgiving holiday that was caused by a careless or negligent driver, you can seek financial compensation in Massachusetts for your injuries and financial losses suffered in the car accident.
Our Framingham personal injury lawyers are here to help accident victims across Massachusetts seek financial compensation for injuries suffered in a car crash caused by another driver. If you were injured in a car accident, you deserve to be fairly compensated for the medical bills you incur, any wages lost, and your pain and suffering from your injuries. We can help you navigate the intricate injury claims process in Massachusetts, deal with the insurance companies and their adjusters, and hold the at-fault party accountable.
I wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving.
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