Traffic Fatalities Expected to Spike this Holiday Season

If you’re planning on driving this holiday season, be extra careful.

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 787 fatalities will result from traffic accidents during Christmas Eve through January 4, 2015. The estimate is higher than the previous average of 663.2 over the past five holiday periods due in part to the days of the week that Christmas and New Years falls this season. The NSC believes there will be 366 traffic deaths from December 24 through December 28 and another 421 road fatalities from New Year’s Eve through the end of the weekend.

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In addition, the NSC estimates 39,200 injuries will require medical attention during the Christmas holiday while another 45,000 injuries can potentially result through the New Years holiday period.

“Sadly, we could be facing two especially deadly holiday periods, since each will include a long four-day weekend,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, NSC president and CEO. “Families should take extra precaution on our highways to avoid unnecessary tragedies.”