Study: Road fatalities increase over holiday season

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Kyrsten Eller

According to a study from the University of Alabama, more people die on the roads over the winter holiday season.

The study, conducted by Dr. David Brown for the UA Center for Advanced Public Safety and the Alabama Transportation Institute, looked at factors including swerving to avoid something, an unseen object, impaired driving and speeding.

“Increased traffic, longer nights and holiday gatherings mean there are more chances for severe and fatal crashes during the holidays,” said Brown. “Drivers should take precautions to limit risk by buckling up, driving the speed limit, avoiding unnecessary nighttime driving, and never getting behind the wheel under the influence.”

Between Dec. 15 and 31 in 2016 to 2020, there were 6.8% more fatalities compared with the rest of the year.

You can read more about the study right here.