Every year, Thanksgiving — which is supposed to be a celebration — ends in sadness and distress for an unfortunate number of families. This is down to the higher-than-usual number of vehicle crashes that occur on these dates each year.
Here are some of the factors that lie behind this uptick in serious accidents:
1. Driver fatigue
A lot of people drive a long way to spend the holiday with family or friends, and that journey can soon make them weary. Those who do the hosting can also end up shattered due to the preparation involved. Both may take to the road again before they are fully rested.
2. Residual alcohol
Many people drink more than usual on Thanksgiving. They might not ever feel drunk, but the constant consumption throughout the day can soon add up. Many fail to realize that they could still be affected by the alcohol, or even still over the limit, when they get behind the wheel the next morning.
3. Family distractions
Even if you don’t have kids of your own, you can probably remember what long journeys were like as a child. Younger children in particular can get extremely bored on long drives, such as those to visit relatives at Thanksgiving, and they can easily distract the parent who is trying to drive.
Partners can also prove a distraction for drivers, especially if arguments become more likely due to tiredness or the family tensions that can surface over this holiday.
If you have your Thanksgiving spoiled by a collision, it is important to consider whether any of the above-mentioned factors may have affected the other drivers involved. Showing they did may help you claim compensation.
