The holidays should feel warm and cozy (not chaotic and dangerous) but this season consistently brings a spike in drunk driving crashes. Between holiday parties, late-night gatherings, and long-distance travel, the risks go up fast. The good news? Understanding what actually happens on the roads this time of year (and taking a few extra precautions) can significantly lower your chances of being involved in a collision.
The holidays are supposed to be about good food, family time, and getting a break from the chaos of the year. Unfortunately, they’re also one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. Federal data shows that alcohol-impaired driving consistently spikes between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. For example, in 2022, 13,524 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes, accounting for nearly a third of all traffic deaths. Looking specifically at the Thanksgiving travel period, there were 868 drunk-driving fatalities nationwide between 2019 and 2023. Nighttime driving is especially risky during the holidays, when impaired driving tends to climb and enforcement ramps up.
In short, holiday roads are beautiful in theory, but in practice, they’re rough. Below are clear steps in navigating the holidays safely and what to do if you’re hit by a drunk driver.
How to Stay Safe During the Holiday DUI Spike
Even if you’re a cautious driver, impaired drivers can appear out of nowhere. These habits won’t eliminate the risk completely, but they definitely stack the odds in your favor.
Avoid Late-Night Driving
After dark, the chances of encountering an impaired driver go up. Late-night holiday parties, bar closings, and long drives home turn the roads into a bit of a roulette wheel. If you can shift errands, long drives, or travel time earlier in the day, do it. Your future self will genuinely thank you.
Use Rideshare When Alcohol Might Be Involved
If you’re heading to a holiday gathering where alcohol might be around (even if it’s just casually) call a rideshare. It removes the guesswork, keeps you safe, and avoids the “I’m probably fine” trap that so many DUI arrests stem from. When you’re tired, overstimulated, or just ready to go home, letting someone else drive is often the smarter and more relaxing choice.
Watch for Signs of Erratic Driving
Most people assume drunk drivers are obvious, but they’re often subtle. Common signs include sudden braking, drifting between lanes, driving far below the speed limit, slow reaction times, or making unusually wide or tight turns. If you notice any of this, add distance. Think of them like a skunk you don’t poke, you don’t approach, you just give space and let them do their thing far away from you.
Stay Sober Behind the Wheel
It sounds obvious, but during the holidays, it’s not. Being “just a little buzzed” still affects your reaction time, and even minor impairment creates major legal issues if a crash happens. The easiest way to protect yourself physically, legally, and financially is by staying 100% sober when you drive.
What To Do If You’re Hit by a Drunk Driver
If the unthinkable happens, what you do in the minutes after the crash can dramatically shape your case. Drunk driving collisions aren’t treated like standard accidents because impairment shifts the entire legal landscape, especially when punitive damages are on the table.
Call the Police Immediately
Don’t let the other driver talk you out of it. A police report creates an official, time-stamped record of the crash, the driver’s behavior, and early signs of impairment. Officers are trained to spot intoxication, run tests, and document key details that matter later.
Document Any Signs of Impairment
While waiting for officers, note anything suggesting impairment (smell of alcohol, slurred speech, unsteady movements, glassy eyes, or open containers). Quick photos or short videos help. Your legal team can decide what’s relevant, but having the documentation is the important part.
Request That Officers Conduct Sobriety or Breath Tests
You can’t force a test, but you absolutely can ask officers to administer one. The request itself can matter later if the driver disputes their blood-alcohol content (BAC) or claims they weren’t impaired.
Get Contact Info from Witnesses
Holiday travel means more people around, which increases the chance someone saw the crash or the driver’s behavior. Grab names, phone numbers, and a quick description of what they saw. Even one solid witness can strengthen your claim significantly.
The Importance of Strong Evidence and a Strong Legal Team
DUI accident evidence disappears quickly. Video footage gets overwritten, witness memories fade, and accessing police documentation becomes harder over time. Working with a legal team that knows how to move quickly and strategically in impaired-driving cases can dramatically strengthen your case and the compensation available to you. If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver during the holidays, you’re not just dealing with a bad situation you’re dealing with someone else’s choice. You deserve clarity, support, and legal protection that makes the process easier to navigate.
If a drunk driver has turned your holiday season upside down, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. These cases move quickly, evidence can disappear, and insurance companies often try to get ahead of you before you even know what you’re dealing with. That’s where having the right attorney makes a real difference.
At Jalilvand Law, Kamelia Jalilvand takes a genuinely hands-on approach. She doesn’t hand clients off or disappear once the paperwork starts. She stays with you from the first call through the final resolution, making sure you understand every step and never feel left in the dark. Her team digs into the details, pulls together the evidence that strengthens your claim, and pushes back hard when the other side tries to downplay what happened.
When you’re recovering from a DUI-related crash, you deserve an advocate who shows up for you, keeps you informed, and fights for a result that reflects what you’ve actually been through. That’s the level of care and commitment Jalilvand Law brings to every case.