Thanksgiving Warning Issued to US Drivers

Hundreds of people will die on U.S. roads, as usual, this Thanksgiving weekend, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).

Every year millions of Americans travel great distances across the U.S. and beyond to eat a Thanksgiving Day dinner with family and friends on the fourth Thursday in November. The NSC estimates that 507 people could die on the roads during the Thanksgiving Day holiday period this year, saying that those who choose to drive face higher risks than people using other modes of transport.

"Many choose car travel, which has the highest fatality rate of any major form of motorized transportation, based on fatalities per passenger miles, the NSC said. "Holidays are also often cause for celebrations involving alcohol consumption, a major contributing factor to motor-vehicle crashes."

Each year, the NSC shares the number of people it estimates will die in car crashes between Wednesday evening to Sunday evening, known as the Thanksgiving weekend. The NSC's estimate ranged from between 439 to 580 fatalities.

The latest actual death figures from 2021 showed 514 people died across the U.S. during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

It was the highest number of Thanksgiving Day deaths on American roads since 2007, when 542 people lost their lives. The highest number of recorded Thanksgiving Day fatalities since 1995 was in 2006, when 623 people died on roads across the country.

While alcohol-impaired fatalities represented a majority of recorded deaths when records were first listed in 1982, making up a 51 percent share, the number has decreased steadily since the early 1990s.

While the number of alcohol-impaired deaths has fallen in recent decades, it made up 36 percent of recorded fatalities in 2021 and 2020.

Revealing how it made the predictions, the organization said it compares the holiday periods of similar length, specifically from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 11:59 p.m. on the Sunday during the weeks immediately before and after the Thanksgiving Day weekend.

The NSC added that the average number of traffic deaths during the Thanksgiving Day holiday period over the last six years is 3 percent lower than the average number of traffic deaths during the comparison periods (462 versus 475 deaths).

According to the NSC, seat belts are 45 percent effective in preventing fatalities among front-seat passengers, and an estimated 201 lives could be saved this Thanksgiving period because occupants are wearing set belts. Another 118 lives could be saved if everyone were to wear their seat belts.

The NSC told Newsweek there are several things people should consider before they set out on the road this Thanksgiving holiday, which include:

• Preparing before you drive, by checking the oil, putting air in tires, and repairing open recalls.
• Drive distraction-free by putting away your cell phone.
• Do not exceed the speed limit and pay attention to people walking and biking.
• Designate a sober driver or arrange alternative transportation.
• Avoid fatigue driving and ensure you're well-rested before you get behind the wheel.
• Always wear a seat belt while driving. Between 1975 and 2017 an estimated 375,276 lives have been saved by using seat belts.
• Protect vulnerable passengers and check the manufacturer's instructions before installing a child's safety seat.
• Look before you lock and make it a priority to see if any children remain inside the car.
• Understand your vehicle's safety systems.
• Take an alternative path and consider leaving the car at home if you are traveling a short distance.
• Watch for all road users and respect everyone around by giving them space to be safe.

Update 11/15/23, 03:15 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the NSC.