The Holidays are in full swing — and while this generally means it’s a time of joy and giving, there can also be some downsides to the season as well. In particular, the holiday season often brings an increase in congestion. The stores are crowded, the parking lots are overflowing, and the roadways are congested, all of which lead to an uptick in car accidents this time of year.
However, it’s not just that there are more people out and about this time of year, but there is also an increase in distraction. There is much to do and think about over the holidays, which means many of the car accidents that occur are a result of distracted driving, in addition to there being more cars on the road.
But what exactly are the reasons for holiday distracted driving and the increase in Kentucky car accidents this time of year? Let’s find out.
Distracted Driving Statistics
Distracted driving is a problem year-round. According to the NHTSA, over 3,000 people died in car accidents caused by distracted driving in 2020.
And according to the CDC, 1 in 5 people who die in distracted driving accidents aren’t actually vehicle occupants, meaning distracted drivers often hit and kill pedestrians or people riding their bikes.
Furthermore, the majority of distracted driving accidents that happen today occur as a result of cell phone use, especially among younger drivers.
Unfortunately, distracted driving gets exponentially worse during the holidays, particularly from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. Just during the Christmas holiday, an estimated 371 people die in car accidents.
Kentucky Distracted Driving Laws
To cut down on distracted driving, there are state laws and regulations in place. However, there is technically no specific distracted driving law in Kentucky. Rather, the law states that all drivers owe a duty of care, meaning they must operate their vehicle with care so as not to cause harm to others — which can include a number of driving behaviors, not just distracted driving.
There is, however, a bill in Kentucky that addresses cell phone use while driving, which is one of the primary causes of distracted driving. The initial bill, which was introduced in 2010, banned texting while driving, with the exception of using the phone for GPS or making a call.
But recently, a new bill was introduced to crack down even further on cell phone use. This bill would only allow for hands-free use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving.
Common Driving Distractions that Lead to Holiday Distracted Driving
While cell phone use is a common driving distraction, it is not the only distraction, especially during the holidays. In truth, there is a wide range of reasons for distracted driving, but during the holidays, some of the most common driving distractions include the following:
- Driving while looking at Christmas lights and decorations
- Holiday travelers on the road distracted by their GPS/phones while trying to figure out where they are going
- People driving while their mind is distracted, thinking about holiday plans, things they need to do, gifts they need to buy, etc.
- Grooming in the car mirror while driving on the way to a holiday event or party
- Struggling to stay alert while driving due to fatigue and lack of sleep from all the holiday plans
- The mind wandering while driving due to stress over holiday work deadlines, family issues, or anything else that causes added stress during this time of year
- Frustration with increased traffic causing people to lose focus while driving
- Being distracted by friends or family in the car talking
- Being distracted by the general hustle and bustle of everyone around you, especially while driving around crowded shopping centers or grocery store parking lots
- Depression or anxiety over the holidays causing the mind to be distracted
Trust McCoy & Sparks—Your Premier Distracted Driving Lawyer in Central Kentucky
At McCoy & Sparks, we want to help you have a safe and happy holiday season.
Holiday distracted driving is a problem, but if you keep this in mind and remain alert while driving, you can avoid unnecessary accidents. However, if you are involved in a distracted driving accident over the holidays, we are here to help.
Our team of Kentucky car accident attorneys is dedicated to helping our clients navigate their personal injury claims to ensure the right party is held accountable. We’ll also help you recover the high-value settlement you deserve to help pay for your injuries and other damages.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Make the right call to (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our attorneys today.