San Diego should take extra precautions when driving for the Christmas Holiday as it ranks third as the deadliest city in the nation for holiday car travel, according to a recent study.
San Diego ranks third out of 10 cities in the nation for the most Christmas Traffic Fatalities over a ten-year period with data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), according to a study published by Jerry, an insurance comparison service.
Los Angeles and Houston lead the chart for the most Christmas Traffic fatalities from 2011-2020, with 28 and 21 deaths respectively. San Diego and Phoenix have 18 deaths, while Chicago follows with 16 traffic deaths.
According to the study, the two deadliest hours during the Christmas holiday period are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day.
About 312 people lose their lives in fatal crashes each year during the Christmas holiday, with drinking and speeding more frequently involved compared with fatal crashes throughout the year, according to the NHTSA. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 346 people may die on U.S. roads this Christmas Day holiday period.
The study found a total of 3,127 people were killed in 2,812 fatal crashes throughout the nation during the Christmas holiday period from 2011 through 2020, the last year for which data was available. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people aged 1-54.
Both alcohol and speeding are more common in deadly crashes during the Christmas holiday than throughout the year. Speeding is a factor in 41% of fatal Christmas crashes, versus 39% of all deadly crashes throughout the year, according to the study.
At Christmas, at least one driver tested positive for alcohol in 63% of fatal crashes in which a blood–alcohol test was conducted.
The CDC provided a list of tips for all drivers to safely get to their destinations this holiday season:
- Do not drive when you are impaired by alcohol and/or drugs and do not allow your family members or friends to drive while impaired. If you drink alcohol and/or use drugs, designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or use a ride-share service to protect yourself and others on the road.
- Avoid distractions while driving, such as using your cell phone to text, email, or access social media. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for at least five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that is like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Safe driving requires your full attention.
- Check the weather conditions before you head out on the road. Make sure to drive at a speed that is safe for road and weather conditions.
For additional safety information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/holiday-road-safety/index.html .
