Most Dangerous Days of the Year

Disaster can strike at any moment – even on one of the most joyous days of the year. Believe it or not, holidays are some of the most dangerous days for DUI accidents – and it is no wonder considering the non-stop barrage of marketing and advertising of alcohol products leading up to these annual milestones.

If you are like most, you are a cautious and careful driver 365 days of the year. However, as the following article will detail, there are certain days on which you should take extra precautions to avoid a major disaster – because nothing ruins the holidays quite like a trip to the emergency room or the police station.

If you made a mistake and got on the road after having too much to drink, call The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A. at 513-621-8700 so our DUI defense attorneys can get started on your case.

National & state statistics

The state of Ohio maintains its own database of annual vehicular crash statistics, along with its federal counterpart – the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to 2014 reports, 32,675 individuals died in motor vehicle accidents across the entire United States, along with 2.3 million people sustaining crash-related injuries. And just over 21,000 vehicle passengers died in accidents in 2014, while 4,884 pedestrians lost their lives in roadway collisions.

Thankfully, the NHTSA reports that nationwide levels of highway fatalities have been steadily declining; however, the amount of alcohol-related crashes has not. Nearly one-third of all fatalities nationwide involved the over-consumption of alcohol, the same as 2013 and 2012.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety reported a similar consistent decline in highway fatalities in 2014 – with 919 traffic fatalities resulting from 282,338 total crashes. Of the total number of drivers involved in crashes in Ohio in 2014, just over four percent were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident – a stark difference from the 31 percent of total nationwide crashes involving alcohol.

The most dangerous day of the year

Of all the holidays throughout the calendar year, Fourth of July takes first place for the most number of roadway accidents and fatalities across the country, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

In Ohio, however, Thanksgiving was the most dangerous holiday of 2014. On Thanksgiving, which the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) actually defines as a five-day period spanning the week of Thanksgiving, there were 3,429 total crashes, 23 deaths, and seven alcohol-related deaths. The ODPS also released the following additional holiday crash statistics:

The period between Thanksgiving and the end of the year has the highest amount of DUI arrests for the year nationwide.

Teenage drivers

Teenage and young drivers are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to safe driving, namely due to sheer inexperience. Moreover, the fact that teenage alcohol use kills 4,700 people each year (according to MADD) coupled with the fact that teens are more likely to drive distracted (according to the US Department of Transportation) creates a perfect storm for accidents and injuries.

According to statistics from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the most dangerous time of the year for young drivers is the summer, as most are free from school and eager to try out their new driver’s license. Known as the ‘100 Deadliest Days’ for teenagers, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is especially risky for young drivers.

In fact, AAA reports that nine of the 10 deadliest days for novice drivers fall between May and August. Of the teenage drivers that died in automobile accidents in 2010, a majority are male drivers, according to the US Department of Transportation.

Dangerous days and times

According to the ODPS, the most dangerous travel day – by far – in terms of the number of injuries and fatalities is Friday. Saturday and Sunday rank a close second and third, in regards to fatalities, even though drivers are less likely to suffer injuries in an accident on these days.

Not surprisingly, 65 percent of all accidents occur during the daylight hours. Aside from daytime, the most dangerous scenario in 2014 was driving at night on unlit roadways – a circumstance claiming 235 lives and another 8,039 injuries in Ohio.

In terms of weather conditions, there were approximately 37,000 injuries reported during clear weather, and about half that many on cloudy days. Rain and snow combined for a total of nearly 11,000 injuries and 109 fatalities, while 81 people sustained injuries in accidents caused by severe crosswinds.

Staying safe

There are a number of ways for Ohio drivers to keep safe during high-risk driving times. Of course, never get behind the wheel while intoxicated – or even slightly buzzed, as buzzed driving is still drunk driving. Also brush up on “defensive driving” tactics, which help keep drivers alert to the misdeeds of others – preventing serious injuries whenever possible.

When it comes to bad weather, only travel if absolutely necessary, particularly if you are not comfortable driving in snow or sleet. If you plan to travel for a holiday, leave plenty of time so you are not rushed, and thus creating a hazardous situation for yourself – and do not worry, there will be plenty of leftovers if you are late!

For help with your DUI defense, contact the Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A. today.

Staying safe and sober should be everyone’s concern when driving. The unfortunate reality is that people make mistakes. The first thing alcohol affects is your judgment so you may believe you are fine to drive after that last beer. You might continue to think so until you are handcuffed in the backseat of a cop car, under arrest for OVI.

You should always drive sober, but just because you made a mistake does not mean your life is over. We can help. Call a DUI lawyer from The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A. and see how we can help you. Contact us at 513-621-8700.