The National Safety Council estimates that 179 people may die in New Year’s Eve traffic fatalities on U.S. roads this New Year’s Day holiday period* and an additional 20,400 will suffer an injury severe enough that they will seek medical attention; these numbers represent a dramatic decrease over estimates for 2024.
*New Year’s Day 2025 falls on a Wednesday, which means the holiday period will last 1.25 days, between 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 31 and 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, January 1. (When the holiday is combined with the weekend, it extends the holiday period, which increases the estimate of traffic fatalities).
Most New Year’s Eve celebrations happen locally, which makes travelling by car a popular choice. Unfortunately, driving is the most dangerous way to travel even on a day where most people are sober and home by a reasonable time; add in the alcohol consumed at many New Year’s parties and the late drive home, and the risks skyrocket.
How to Protect your Family from New Year’s Eve Traffic Fatalities
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of a collision this New Year’s Day holiday period.
- Wear seat belts. Make sure that you and every passenger in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt and that infants and children are properly strapped into appropriate car seats or booster seats. When seat belts are worn according to manufacturer’s instructions, they reduce the risk of fatalities for front-seat passengers by 45 percent. The NSC estimates that 113 lives could be saved this New Year’s Day holiday period if all drivers and passengers in every vehicle wear their seat belts.
- Do not drink and drive. According to injuryfacts.nsc.org, during the 2022 New Year’s Day holiday period, 37 percent of fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver, compared to 32 percent of traffic fatalities throughout the year. Many lives could be saved this New Year’s holiday if all drivers choose to avoid driving while intoxicated. If you are planning to consume alcohol away from your home this New Year’s Eve, make a plan to stay overnight, have a designated driver, or call an Uber or Taxi in order to ensure that you are not drinking and driving. If you see another vehicle swerving on the road, get out of their way and call 9-1-1.
- If you celebrate at home, invite guests to stay overnight. If you decide to host a house party, encourage guests to stay overnight – especially if they stay for the midnight countdown and if alcohol was consumed. This way, everyone can relax and enjoy without getting back on the road after a late night of celebrating.
- Do not drive overnight. Driving while tired and in the dark can dramatically increase your risk of being involved in a serious motor vehicle accident. If you are planning to stay very late visiting with family or friends, see if it’s an option to stay there overnight and head home in the morning when it’s daylight and you’re rested.
Seek the Help of a Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing people injured in Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County, and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
