New Year’s Eve Headed for Record High in Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities, Recent Study Reveals
A study published by MarketWatch details the dangers of drunk driving during the holiday season. (Photo: Pexels)
As New Year’s Eve approaches, festivities and revelry take center stage, ushering in a time of joy and booze-filled celebration. However, a recent study published by MarketWatch Guides reveals a sobering reality behind the boisterous holiday: the changeover from 2023 to 2024 could be on track for a record high in alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
Delving into the statistics that cast a shadow over the otherwise jubilant holiday season, the study first noted that drunk driving remains a persistent and substantial year-round public health issue in the United States. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on average, 37 lives are lost daily due to drunk driving crashes. This equates to a fatality occurring approximately every 39 minutes.
Stacey D. Stewart, chief executive officer of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), emphasized the pervasive nature of this issue in the study, stating, “We need to change behaviors.” Stewart added that more than a third of all Americans and 42% of men admit to having driven under the influence of alcohol or drugs when uncertain about their ability to safely operate a vehicle.
Turning again to the holiday season, analysis of U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) data by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed that alcohol is involved in an average of 44% of all traffic deaths on New Year’s Day from 1982 to 2020 — a significant 33% increase compared to the annual average. The period between 1995 and 2020 saw an average of nearly 360 (359.3) people losing their lives each year during the New Year’s holiday period, according to a National Safety Council (NSC) analysis of NHTSA data.
“The holidays should be filled with happiness, but impaired driving will leave far too many families facing a terrible loss during this time of year,” Stewart informed MarketWatch. “The [Center for Disease Control] suggests there are more than 347,000 episodes of drunk driving on U.S. roads every day, which adds up to more than 21 million chances that you or someone you love will encounter a drunk driver on U.S. roads between November 1st and New Year’s.”
Compounding the issue is an upward trend in alcohol-related fatalities in recent years. Although drunk driving incidents, measured by the number of traffic fatalities involving drivers over the legal alcohol limit, decreased from 2009 through 2019, 2020 marked a turning point with a reversal of this decline. This trend continued in 2021, reflecting a 4% increase in incidents from 2019 to 2021 and a 26.5% increase from just two years prior.
(Photo: MarketWatch)
The gravity of alcohol-impaired driving also varies considerably across states, per MarketWatch. NHTSA state-level data underscored the stark contrast, with Montana holding the highest drunk driving fatality rate at 44%, a rate 120% higher than that of Mississippi, the state with the lowest rate at 20%.
As the New Year approaches, the preventability of alcohol-related traffic fatalities looms large. NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson stressed in the report, “These crashes are particularly tragic because they are 100% preventable.” She urged individuals to make responsible choices during the holiday season, emphasizing that avoiding impaired driving is both a civic duty and a moral imperative.
According to MarketWatch, the following are ways to best avoid drunk driving this New Year’s holiday:
Plan Ahead: Make responsible decisions before consuming alcohol. Create a plan for transportation and stick to it, ensuring a safe journey home.
Rideshare Services or Taxis: Include rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, or traditional taxis, in your celebration budget. Despite potential surge pricing, the cost is minimal compared to the consequences of driving under the influence.
Designated Driver with a Backup: Opt for a designated driver committed to staying sober and responsible. However, acknowledge the need for a backup plan, recognizing that unforeseen circumstances may arise.
Tow Services: Consider arranging a tow service to transport both you and your vehicle home safely. While this option may be more expensive, it prevents the risks associated with leaving your vehicle unattended.
Utilize Roadside Assistance: If you have a roadside assistance package, explore the possibility of using it for towing. This can significantly reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses, depending on your coverage.
Limit Alcohol Consumption: Acknowledge that any level of alcohol increases accident risks. Avoid relying on ineffective methods like opening windows or consuming coffee to reduce blood alcohol content. Instead, allow your body’s natural processes to metabolize the alcohol over time.
“Statistical trends around holiday drunk driving and the upward trend in alcohol-related fatalities are as tragic as they are jarring,” the study concluded. “But while you can’t prevent others from making life-threatening decisions, you can avoid adding to those statistics yourself.”
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