Holidays are a nightmare for traffic handlers as this the time when most accidents related to drunk driving occurs. It is a fact that most individuals feel compelled to increase their alcohol intake during holidays and then unfortunately think that they will have the same responsiveness as when they are sober.

It is also a fact that during holidays, alcohol-manufacturing companies increase their ads to lure drinkers to increase their intake in order to boost their profits. This advertising is done both directly and subliminally and it is the drivers who are left holding the stick at the wrong end of the law.

Holiday Drunk Driving and Young Drivers

Statistics show that young drivers between the ages of 21 to 34 accounts for most of the alcohol related accidents and road deaths during holidays. The same study shows that of all arrested DUI offenders, this age group pool possess the highest blood alcohol content levels and this same group are most unlikely to change their drinking habits during holiday periods.

Many cops will tell you that young drivers are some of the most inexperienced individuals behind the wheel of a car. They are unable to negotiate difficult or unsuspecting traffic maneuvers and are the most likely to cause traffic accidents. This fact coupled with the loss of coordination caused from alcohol consumption is like a time bomb waiting to explode.

Peak Holiday Drunk Driving Crashes

Most individuals would think that New Year’s Eve would have the highest levels of drunk driving crashes. This is due to the high consumption of Champaign and other beverages. However, to the surprise of many, New Year’s is a distant second to thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a time of family togetherness where families come together to celebrate the year’s successes and just share time with each other. During this time, there is extensive alcohol consumption that leaves individuals usually spent by the end of the day. Most family members will visit from locations all over the country and then must leave by the end of the day to prepare for regular events the following day. During their travel back home, they are then left at the mercy of fate. Unfortunately, many do not make it, as they are unable to negotiate their way back home and end up included in the statistics of holiday drink driving crashes.

Alaska the Queen of Holiday Drunk Driving Crashes

A little known fact is that Alaska has the highest rate of holiday drunk driving fatal crashes in the US. Many theories have been put forward as to why this is so, but just as the reasons are many, the same is the amount of rebuttals.

However, one of the strongest suggestions is that these holiday crashes are related to the extended cold seasons that exist in the state. This extended cold season results in individuals consuming more alcohol in an effort to keep their internals warm. This high alcohol consumption coupled with the icy road conditions make controlling a vehicle almost impossible. This then leads to severe traffic accidents that unfortunately are often fatal.