As a very different holiday season kicks off, SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, urges everyone to remember that one thing is unlikely to change this year: alcohol is a significant factor in holiday deaths.
Alcohol-related crashes tend to be more serious, and they increase over the holidays. This is illustrated by some quick facts regarding alcohol-involved crashes in Southeast Michigan during the holiday season for the years 2015-2019:
- Crashes involving alcohol tend to be much more serious. Alcohol is involved in nearly 32 percent of traffic fatalities, but it is only a factor in three percent of total crashes.
- There are 18 percent more alcohol-involved crashes per day between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, as compared to the rest of the year.
- More alcohol-involved crashes occur on New Year’s Day than any other day of the year. There are 41 percent more alcohol-involved crashes on Jan. 1 than the next highest day, July 4.
- The third-highest number of alcohol-involved crashes occurs on Thanksgiving Day.
SEMCOG offers a few reminders for safe driving during this holiday season:
- If you feel different, you drive different; never drink and drive.
- Be aware of potential drunk drivers; most fatalities occur at night, especially weekend nights.
- Stay focused at all times while driving and avoid all distractions.
- Always wear a seatbelt.
More data is available on SEMCOG’s Safety page and “Quick Facts” analysis of 2019 crash data. SEMCOG’s Walk.Bike.Drive.Safe educational campaign encourages safe transportation choices and reminds all road users that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep our streets safe.
Individuals are also encouraged to visit the Michigan State Police, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for holiday safety tips and additional sobering facts.
