What you need to know about Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is tomorrow which means there will be millions of people on the road between today and this weekend.  



One thing we cannot be thankful for is the number of car accidents that happen during this holiday.  Thanksgiving is ranked the highest number of deaths and car accidents among all the holidays.

Here's the reason why:  Information provided by RITA: Research and Innovative Technology Administration of the Department of Transportation.

• An estimated 91% of Americans will travel by car to reach their destination Thanksgiving
• The number of Americans on a road trip longer than 50 miles increases by 54%

Thanksgiving is a "short" holiday which will increase the speed travelers use to get to their destination.  We have more people ON the road and more people speeding to their destination.  

We also need to look at the road rage that happen with more people on the road. More aggressive drivers, in a rush to get to their destination is a deadly combination.

According to Forbes.com:

Thanksgiving Day
Number of Fatalities in 2008: 502
Average Number of Fatalities Per Year Since 1982: 567
Average Percentage of Alcohol-Related Fatalities Since 1982: 41%

Looking at these statistics alcohol related fatalities, during the four day Thanksgiving holiday, a little less than half of the deaths. Looking at the holidays to choose from alcohol related deaths would seem to belong to New Years. Maybe people who go out drinking on New Year's Eve are getting smarter about responsible drinking but seem to forget this over Thanksgiving. 

I couldn't "figure" out why so many drink on Thanksgiving then I remembered the Bowl games.  Big weekend for college football.  This explains a little bit of the drinking on this holiday.

Gas prices have always been a determining factor on how many people are on the road over the holidays.  If gas prices are high than people will "reconsider" driving long distances to see family that they will see again over Christmas.  

No matter what the reasons are you need to be aware that Thanksgiving day is a dangerous day to be on the road so if you plan to travel...travel safe, watch your speed and please do not drink and drive.

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