Thanksgiving rates as dangerous holiday for highway deaths

Motorists traveling over the river and through the woods during this holiday season should either stick to the woods altogether or avoid New York City, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco during rush hour. Above is DC traffic (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The Trucker News Services

11/23/2010

CHICAGO — After New Year’s and the 4th of July holiday, Thanksgiving is reportedly the third most dangerous holiday for deaths on U.S. highways. Between 1998 and 2008 there was an average of 572 deaths annually on U.S. highways during the Thanksgiving holiday, making it the most deadly four-day holiday period on American roads, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The 4^th of July is the deadliest three-day holiday weekend.

The National Safety Commission blames speeding and tired and/or sleepy drivers, as well as those who have imbibed, for the high number of deaths around Thanksgiving.

According to a study by the National Sleep Foundation, those at most risk of driving while drowsy are:

• Young adults 18-29

• Men (56%) more than women (45%), and

• Shift workers.

What’s more, motorists traveling over the river and through the woods during this holiday season should either stick to the woods altogether or avoid New York City, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco during rush hour.

Seattle was listed as the city with the fourth worst rush hour traffic followed by Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and Houston.

The Trucker staff may be contacted to comment at editor@thetrucker.com.