The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates 720 people may be killed on U.S. roadways during the upcoming holidays: 345 during the Christmas holiday driving period, and an additional 375 during the New Year's holiday driving period, according to its news release. 

With impaired driving representing 36% and 40% of these fatalities, respectively, and the observance of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, the NSC calls on all road users to take safety personally this holiday season.

“Impairment, whether it be from alcohol, drugs, and/or another factor such as fatigue or stress, causes a decline in visual function, mental judgment, and motor skills,” said Mark Chung, executive vice president of roadway practice at the NSC. "To save lives, we must all do our part by buckling up, driving sober (or arranging alternate transportation), slowing down, avoiding distractions, and looking out for one another."

NSC Safety Efforts

In addition to the personal responsibility of all road users, the NSC said more will be done in both the short and long term to address the issue of impaired driving on U.S. roads. 

According to the NSC, law enforcement officers nationwide will be focusing on removing impaired drivers from the roads through sobriety checkpoints and community outreach from Dec. 13 through Jan. 1.

To continue educating drivers throughout the holiday season, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is promoting public service messages through campaigns such as Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel Different, You Drive Different; Drive High, Get a DUI. 

The Christmas holiday period begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Dec. 25. The New Year's holiday period begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Supplemental traffic fatality and injury information can be found on the NSC Injury Facts pages for the Christmas and New Year's holiday periods.