5 Reasons Thanksgiving is Ohio’s Most Dangerous Holiday for Drivers

In 2014, there were a total of 3,429 motor vehicle accidents reported in Ohio during the Thanksgiving holiday. This number far exceeds the crash total for any other holiday. Why exactly is Thanksgiving so hazardous for this state’s drivers, passengers, and pedestrians? While every traffic accident is different, there are many factors that may contribute to the high volume of Thanksgiving car accidents. Keep the following factors in mind when planning a safe, enjoyable holiday this year.

• Increased Traveling

Thanksgiving is typically a time spent with family, and for many this means traveling near or far to be with loved ones. This means several things: there are more drivers on the road, those drivers are more likely to be fatigued from long travel times, and those drivers may be driving streets that are unfamiliar to them.

• Weather and Light Conditions

Ohio weather is never predictable, but it is frequently snowy and/or windy around the Thanksgiving holiday. Add in the early sunset of November and drivers are often navigating the roads in darkened and slick conditions.

• Rushed Drivers

Shoppers love their Black Friday (and now Thursday) sales, but many throw caution to the wind in the rush to get the biggest deals. Follow the accident reports this year and you will see how frequently motor vehicle accidents occur in close proximity to shopping centers. Congestion and rushed drivers create an environment where extra care is required.

• A Long Holiday Period

From last-minute grocery runs on Wednesday night to family traveling on Thursday to shopping on Friday and then football games over the weekend, Thanksgiving accounts for five full days of food, drink, and fun. With so many people sharing time off—and thus sharing the road—there is simply more opportunity for danger.

• Alcohol

Drivers are cautioned to be defensive on the road over Thanksgiving which, for many, is a holiday that involves enjoying alcohol. Fortunately, most of us understand that Thanksgiving is a time to be with family and friends, not a time to overindulge and put others at risk. However, there are those that will drink and drive this holiday season and as always they contribute to the dangers facing Ohio motorists.

Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA Wishes You a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!

For more than three decades, our Ohio personal injury attorneys have represented clients in Cleveland and throughout Ohio. Whether you have been injured due to a motor vehicle accident, medical malpractice, a defective product, or the negligence of another, our team of Cleveland trial lawyers will fight for your right to receive the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one were injured, call us today for a free consultation.