Preliminary projections from the National Safety Council (NSC) show 433 people may be fatally injured and another 49,400 seriously hurt in auto accidents over the 2018 Thanksgiving holiday.
In 2017, Thanksgiving was the second deadliest holiday for drivers and passengers, only behind July 4th. Alcohol contributes to more than one-third of fatal crashes during the period.
“Everyone wants a holiday to remember, but not for the wrong reasons,” said NSC President and CEO Deborah A.P. Hersman, in a statement. “Let’s keep our holiday gatherings out of the emergency room by making smart decisions that don’t involve drinking and driving. Plan ahead so you don’t put yourself or others at risk on the road.”
The Thanksgiving holiday runs from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25. With preventable deaths at an all-time high, the NSC provides recommendations to keep drivers, passengers and pedestrians safe.
View the nine driving safety tips in the slideshow.