It's my FAVORITE time of the year - always has been as a child, and now as a mom. Now, as an ER doctor, though, I know that the holidays bring family, food, and celebration—and also bring some of the most dangerous driving days of the year.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), motor-vehicle deaths during holiday periods are 13–15% higher than average. (NSC Holiday Traffic Safety) In 2023 alone, more than 400 people were killed during the Thanksgiving travel window. (NHTSA FARS Data).
Please – as someone who has taken care of many families on holidays – I want your family to be safe! Here are some of my top precautions that make the life-saving difference.
1. Get Your Car Serviced and Fully Checked
Mechanical problems become far more dangerous on crowded highways or icy roads. The NHTSA found that about 12% of crashes involve tire or mechanical failure. (NHTSA Vehicle Safety Defects)
Also, a temperatures drop, tire pressure falls roughly 1 PSI per 10°F, which can reduce traction and control. (NHTSA Winter Driving Tips).
Before heading out, check tire tread and pressure, lights, wipers, and fluid levels (is it just me or does the fluid level always seem to run low when you’re in a snowstorm?) and make sure your battery is winter-ready. A quick tune-up at your local dealership before your trip can help you avoid a breakdown in freezing or unfamiliar conditions.
2. Double-Check Every Car Seat — and Don’t Forget Rentals
Nearly 46% of car seats and boosters are installed incorrectly, reducing their protection in a crash. (NHTSA Child Passenger Safety Study)
Over time, even that car seat that you STRUGGLED to put into place, can become loose – so before you head out on the family road-trip, re-tighten each installation and ensure harnesses are flat and snug. If you’re renting a car or switching vehicles, reinstall your seats—seat angles and latch systems vary between models.
You can confirm the correct seat for your child’s age and size using the NHTSA Car Seat Finder Tool.
3. Plan Your Route Before You Go
Distraction is one of the leading causes of holiday-season crashes. In 2022, 3,308 people died in distracted-driving incidents. (NHTSA Distracted Driving Data)
Set your GPS, playlists, and rest stops before putting the car in gear. Avoid entering addresses, texting, or making adjustments once you’re on the road. A few minutes of prep can prevent a lifetime of regret.
4. Never Put a Child in a Car Seat Wearing a Puffy Coat
Bulky coats can compress in a crash, leaving dangerous slack in the harness. (Plus, think of how when your child is in all their puffy clothes, how difficult it is to get a good grip on them – they’re slippery! The same happens with the seatbelt). The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that this can reduce a car seat’s effectiveness and increase injury risk. (HealthyChildren.org)
Dress children in thin, warm layers and secure the harness snugly. Once they’re buckled in, cover them with a blanket over the straps—not underneath.
5. Take Regular Breaks — Fatigue Is as Dangerous as Alcohol
The AAA Foundation estimates 328,000 drowsy-driving crashes occur each year, causing 6,400 deaths. (AAA Drowsy Driving Report)
Plan to stop every 100 miles or every two hours to stretch, hydrate, and rest. If you find yourself yawning frequently, drifting lanes, or forgetting the last few miles, pull over.
Fatigue slows reaction time and impairs judgment—just like alcohol.
6. Buckle Up — Every Trip, Every Time
Even short drives to family gatherings carry risk. Seat belts reduce front-seat fatalities by 45% and serious injuries by 50%. (CDC Motor Vehicle Safety)
Make it non-negotiable: every person, every ride, every time. If the engine is on, the belts are on.
7. Never Drive Impaired — Including Alcohol, THC, or “Legal” Substances
In 2022, 31% of all traffic deaths involved alcohol-impaired drivers. (NHTSA Impaired Driving Overview)
But alcohol isn’t the only concern. The CDC warns that marijuana use “significantly reduces coordination, reaction time, and attention.” (CDC Drugged Driving Fact Sheet)
Even small amounts of THC or CBD can slow reflexes and decision-making, especially when combined with fatigue. If you’ve consumed alcohol, cannabis, CBD, or certain medications, don’t drive—use a rideshare, designate a driver, or stay overnight.
8. If You’re Renting a Car, Take Your Own Car Seats
I know it’s tempting to just rent a car seat when you get there, but that’s the ONE place that I won’t rent. In fact, car seats are one of the very few items that I always insist someone purchase new and not from a used marketplace. That’s because car seats expire over time (due to plastic breakdown), AND if a car seat has been in an accident, it shouldn’t be used again, because even micro-cracks from that accident can compromise the integrity of the seat in another accident, which means it won’t protect your child as well.
- Always travel with your own car seats (I KNOW, it’s a pain)
- Don’t ever check these with luggage – carry them with you in the airport. For children < 40 lbs, have them ride in the seat on the plane. For those over 40 lbs, you can check it at the gate.
- Before you travel, make sure you have all the right equipment to install your car seat in a rental car.
You can’t control traffic or weather—but you can control your preparation, alertness, and decisions – AND how well-protected your family is in their vehicles. This season, take the few extra minutes to get your car ready, recheck those car seats, and plan ahead.
The best holiday gift you can give your family is arriving safely—calm, confident, and together.
All my best,
- Dr. Darria
