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Thanksgiving is Florida’s Most Dangerous Holiday for Car Accidents

A recent study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration named Thanksgiving as the most dangerous holiday on the roads. Last year 502 people were killed on Thanksgiving Day nationwide, compared to 102 people who die in traffic accidents on an average day.

In Florida alone, 52 fatalities were recorded during the 2008 five-day Thanksgiving break, followed by New Year’s Day at 42 deaths. Unsurprisingly, about half of the Thanksgiving deaths were related to heavy drinking. Thanksgiving is currently considered to be the state’s deadliest day for auto accidents.

AAA forecasts that, due to our nation’s recession, more travelers will be driving to their destinations instead of flying this year. Robert Sinclair, a spokesman for AAA, reveals that “the combined factors of more than 50% more drivers on the road and higher-than-usual alcohol consumption contribute to its danger.”

Because the Thanksgiving holiday has a bad reputation for fatalities on the road, Florida officials are urging motorists to be increasingly careful this holiday. Florida Highway Patrol is deploying all state troopers, even those who typically perform administrative duties, to patrol the roads in order to help reduce the number of fatalities.

Not only are there more people on the roads during this holiday, motorists are driving for longer periods of time. According to a RITA prediction, a division of the Department of Transportation, an estimated 91% of Americans will take to the roads this Thanksgiving to reach their destinations, which is quite an increase from last year.

It is important that motorists buckle up and comply with all the traffic laws. Lieutenant Steve Preston, Florida Highway Patrol, offered some safety tips for the Thanksgiving weekend:

• Plan the trip well
• Leave plenty of time
• Get plenty of rest before embarking
• Obey all speed limits
• Drive sober
• Eliminate all distractions such as texting or talking on the phone
• Check the vehicle’s fluids and tire pressure

If you have been involved in a traffic accident or need advice on the law, contact an experienced Orlando car accident attorney at the Francis Law Group at (888) 521-2721 to determine your rights.