Drunk Driving Crashes Surge During the Holidays: How Atlanta Families Can Protect Themselves

For many Georgia families, the holidays are one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. Traffic increases, alcohol consumption rises, and one impaired decision can shatter lives forever.

No family plans to spend Christmas in a hospital or New Year’s at a funeral home, yet countless families face that reality every year due to impaired driving. Understanding why these crashes spike, how to reduce your risk, and what steps to take if tragedy occurs can make a life-changing difference.

There are several reasons the holidays create the perfect storm for drunk driving crashes, and understanding them can help families better protect themselves.

More Alcohol and More Celebrations

With office parties, bar meet-ups, Christmas dinners, and New Year’s parties, alcohol is woven into nearly every holiday social event. Even responsible people can misjudge their impairment, especially when festive emotions blur caution. Add group pressure, holiday cheer, and a “just one more” mindset, and impaired driving becomes more likely.

Late-Night Travel and Fatigue

Celebrations often stretch well past midnight, leading to late-night return trips when roads are most dangerous. Fatigue slows reaction time almost as severely as alcohol, creating a double threat when tired drivers share the road with intoxicated ones.

High Traffic Volumes

Atlanta’s highways are congested even on normal days. When thousands more drivers are on the road heading to family gatherings or holiday attractions, small mistakes become deadly. Increased traffic means more opportunities for impact, especially when impaired drivers are flying under the influence.

Out-of-Town Travelers Unfamiliar with Atlanta Roads

Holiday travel brings unfamiliar drivers to Atlanta. Confusing exits, aggressive lane changes, and congested interchanges already challenge local drivers. Add in impaired holiday motorists, and collisions rise rapidly.

You cannot control someone else’s decisions, but you can control how you prepare and respond.

Make a Transportation Plan Before Drinking Starts

Never think “I’ll be fine” or wait until the last minute. Set up a designated driver, rideshare, or safe place to stay before the first drink is poured. Planning early removes temptation later.

Avoid Peak DUI Hours

Most deadly holiday drunk driving crashes occur between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. If you can travel earlier, do it. If you must be out late, increase the distance between you and other vehicles and drive defensively.

Stay Alert for Warning Signs of an Impaired Driver

Look for vehicles that:

Talk to Teens and Young Adult Drivers to Prevent Fatal Crashes

Young drivers are disproportionately hurt in holiday drunk driving accidents. A brief safety talk could save a life. Remind them that calling for a ride is always safer than getting behind the wheel under the influence or riding with someone who is.

Knowing what to do before a crash happens means you’re prepared if the worst occurs.

Seek Medical Care Immediately

Adrenaline may mask pain. Even if injuries feel minor, get evaluated. Internal injuries are common in high-impact drunk driving crashes.

Call Police and Ensure Impairment Is Documented

A police report is critical evidence. Request that officers evaluate the other driver for alcohol or drug impairment.

Gather Evidence

If possible:

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney to Handle the Insurance Company

Insurance companies often move fast to settle cheaply. When alcohol is involved, damages are typically higher due to medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and potential punitive damages. An attorney can prevent lowball offers and protect your family’s rights.

Drunk driving crashes are preventable. When someone chooses to drink and drive, it is not an accident; it is negligence. At The Dixon Firm, we stand with victims and families harmed by impaired drivers throughout Atlanta.

We investigate aggressively, and can do things such as pulling toxicology reports, reconstructing drunk driving accidents, reviewing police findings, and preserving time-sensitive evidence, based upon the needs of the case. We pursue full compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, long-term disability, pain and emotional trauma, and in the worst cases, wrongful death.

The holidays should be a time of warmth, connection, celebration, and rest — not tragedy. Yet every year, impaired drivers change lives forever. You can’t control every vehicle on Atlanta’s roads, but you can take steps to protect your family, make safe transportation decisions, and know what to do if a drunk driver causes harm.

If you or someone you love was involved in a drunk driving accident this holiday season, The Dixon Firm is ready to help you fight for answers, accountability, and full compensation. Contact us for help if you’ve been involved in an accident with an impaired driver.