Why Do Car Accidents Increase During the Holidays?

Christmas and other holidays have everyone buzzing around buying gifts, attending parties, gathering with families from all over the place, driving to airports, and making trips to the grocery store and back. The list goes on.

Unfortunately, with an increase in drivers on the roads, the week of Christmas tends to be one of the worst times to drive. Drivers also have a much higher probability of getting into an accident than at any other time of the year.

To protect yourself and others from road accidents during the holidays, you should know the reasons why accidents happen to avoid causing or being involved in one yourself. We’ve compiled a few reasons why accidents increase before, during, and after the holidays.

More Vehicles on the Roads

After the pandemic, the crawl back into the holiday spirit came with caution, but as time goes on and more people are starting to visit loved ones again, so there are many more people out and about. Visiting family or friends, doing some holiday shopping, going away on break, it all requires travel.

An increase in traffic means an increase in accidents, especially considering the significant amount of people on the roads in the UK during the holiday season. All the additional drivers on the road, paired with bad weather and having somewhere to be at a particular time, is a recipe for disaster.

Drunk Drivers

Over the holidays, the amount of people that are involved in alcohol-impaired accidents is much higher than at other times of the year. Holiday celebrations typically involve plenty of alcohol to go around with friends and family.

Most drivers understand they should not drink and drive. Still, unfortunately, some think a small amount of alcohol won’t impair their driving abilities or do any harm – especially if they fly under the radar and are not caught.

This is false; even buzzed driving is drunk driving, putting you at a higher risk of collisions and endangering yourself and others. To avoid this problem altogether, you and your friends or family should always plan ahead of time who is going to be the designated driver after the celebrations have ended, or make it a point to take advantage of ride shares, cabs, or public transport instead.

Increased Stress 

The holidays can put stress on everyone. People are trying to balance their everyday lives with Christmas shopping, preparing for family meals, having large gatherings at home or far away, and everything else involved in the holiday festivities.

Stress can cause some drivers to be more reckless and cause accidents, impacting everyone around them and causing even more stress. Organise your travel times and plans accordingly to ensure that you can drive safely and arrive on time, avoiding the pressure of time constraints and becoming frustrated in traffic.

Poor Weather Conditions

Winter roads mean ice, which means tyres are unable to grip the road as well. One trip alone can expose you to many different types of weather, road conditions, and levels of traffic, so make sure to prepare for each.

Some people have little experience driving in extreme conditions like snow and ice, so it’s important to understand how it can affect your driving. These conditions don’t allow you to drive how you normally do, and in bad conditions, you should try avoiding driving altogether if possible. Additionally, research has shown a rise in accidents during the annual clock changes, as the sudden shift in daylight hours can impact driver alertness and visibility, increasing the likelihood of collisions.

Stock up on the essentials for harsh weather with de-icer and ice scrapers, and create a winter driving kit that includes a torch and some extra winter clothes for emergencies. Prior to driving, make sure you check your tyres are in good condition and ready for the snow.

Car Repairs After an Accident

Right after you’ve been involved in an accident, make sure to get medical help as quickly as possible. You do not know how bad injuries can be until you get them looked at by a medical professional. Talk to the other person involved in the accident, getting their insurance and contact details to have the information needed to make a claim.

When it comes to repairs, find a trusted accident repair shop that will work with you and your insurance to fix any extensive damage or dents that can have long-term effects on your car. It can be difficult to organise repairs, especially after the stress of the holidays, but with the right team, it can be less of a headache. 

That’s where we at  Caversham Coachworks step in. We take care of everything from insurance, crash, and car body repairs to dent and scratch repairs, among other services. As the leading independent vehicle repair centre in Berkshire and Central Oxfordshire, we promise to offer outstanding customer service, putting you and your vehicle first.

Talk to one of our accident repair experts today or use our free and easy estimator tool.