Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors the men and women who have given their lives to protect our nation. As it is a federal holiday, people are off work. That being said, many families take this three-day weekend as an opportunity to participate in fun outdoor activities such as visiting the beach, camping, or embarking on a vacation. Although this is a time for celebration, it is also a time when driving comes with significant risks. Memorial Day weekend is the deadliest holiday for car accidents. Keep reading to learn what factors contribute to the high rates of fatal car accidents during this holiday weekend and discover how our trusted Prince George’s County Auto Accident Attorneys can help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
Why is Memorial Day the deadliest holiday for car accidents?
There are several reasons why Memorial Day weekend has the highest fatal car accident rate. Fatal accidents often spike during this holiday weekend as there are more vehicles on the road as individuals travel to different locations to participate in fun outdoor celebrations due to the warm weather. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May, the unofficial start of summer. Therefore, many individuals are eager to attend Memorial Day celebrations where they can spend quality time with their friends and family. The main factors that contribute to the high Memorial Day weekend car accidents rates include:
- Traffic delays. During this holiday weekend, there is an increase in accidents because the roads are overcrowded. With less room to react and maneuver around potential roadway hazards, traffic congestion can result in serious collisions. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), an estimated 39.9 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles during the Memorial Day weekend. Therefore, as a motorist, you can expect significant traffic delays. This can cause motorists to become impatient and drive aggressively. Aggressive driving to get out of traffic jams is extremely dangerous as this unsafe driving behavior often leads to tragic crashes.
- Sleep deprivation. As mentioned above, many individuals will travel more than 50 miles during this holiday weekend. Traveling for many hours without rest can cause sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep can cause motorists to have difficulty concentrating on the road which prevents them from navigating the road safely. Many motorists neglect to realize that their cognition and motor skills needed for safe driving are diminished by fatigue. Fatigued driving is similar to drunk driving as motorists’ skills are impaired the same as if they were driving while intoxicated. While on the road this Memorial Day weekend, make sure you have adequate rest before getting behind the wheel. This will help keep everyone on the road safe.
- Drunk driving. Holiday weekend celebrations often involve alcohol consumption. According to research, during the 2021 Memorial Day weekend, 40% of fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver. Motorists attending celebrations where alcohol has been served should refrain from getting behind the wheel as alcohol diminishes one’s critical abilities needed to safely and properly operate a vehicle.
If you are injured in a car accident during the Memorial Day weekend due to negligence, please contact our determined team members. With years of experience, our firm is prepared to help you seek reasonable compensation for your devastating damages.
