The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration — but also one of the most dangerous times of the year on America’s highways. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, holiday travel increases by 23% in December, for both commercial truck drivers and passenger vehicles.
During this busy time, shipping companies like FedEx expect record-breaking delivery volumes. For example, FedEx projected 317 million packages shipped between Black Friday and Christmas Eve, a 12.4% increase from the previous year.
While the holidays bring excitement, they also create stress and fatigue. Between shopping trips, family travel, and weather-related challenges, drivers — especially truckers — face more hazards than usual. For those working in the trucking industry, the season means tighter deadlines, longer hours, and greater pressure to deliver on time.
Combine overworked truckers, icy roads, and stressed-out passenger drivers, and you have the perfect recipe for serious holiday trucking accidents. Unfortunately, the holidays also see an increase in impaired driving, further raising the risk for devastating collisions.
Other Factors Contributing to Roadway Accidents
Winter brings not only bad weather but also seasonal illnesses like colds and the flu. Fatigue, medication side effects, and the general stress of the holidays can all impair a driver’s focus and reaction times.
Many drivers — both truckers and commuters — push themselves to work through illness or exhaustion, increasing the chance of an accident. Certain medications can make drivers drowsy or slow to react, and when combined with icy or congested roads, the results can be deadly.
Each year, the U.S. sees an estimated 400 car accident fatalities on Christmas Day alone, many linked to fatigue, distraction, or impaired driving.
Poorly Trained Truck Drivers
During the holiday rush, trucking companies often hire temporary or seasonal drivers to keep up with demand. Unfortunately, some companies fail to properly train these drivers or conduct adequate background checks.
Improperly trained or inexperienced drivers can cause accidents due to:
- Poorly secured cargo
- Overloaded trailers
- Failure to account for weather and road conditions
- Inability to handle large commercial vehicles safely
When trucking companies cut corners on training, public safety is put at risk.
Increased Risk of Trucking Accidents During December
The Washington Post reports that the U.S. Postal Service delivers over 600 million packages during the holiday season — with similar numbers from UPS and FedEx. This surge means more trucks on the road and, unfortunately, a 10% higher risk of trucking accidents in December compared to other months.
Driver fatigue is a leading contributor to this increase. While federal regulations limit most truck drivers to 70 working hours in a seven-day period, many exceed those limits to meet holiday delivery demands.
The combination of pressure, exhaustion, and winter weather makes December one of the deadliest months for large truck accidents.
Further Reading: Sharing the Road with Big Rigs – A Truck Driver’s Perspective
Fatigued Truck Drivers Create Dangerous Conditions
Truck drivers often rely on long hours to earn extra income during the holidays — especially when families depend on that pay for Christmas expenses. Unfortunately, fatigued or drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of catastrophic trucking accidents.
Some drivers even resort to stimulant use, such as methamphetamine or amphetamines, to stay awake on long hauls. While these substances may temporarily increase alertness, they also impair reaction times, focus, and judgment, making them especially dangerous behind the wheel.
The consequences can be devastating, leading to multi-vehicle collisions, rollovers, and fatal injuries.
Staying Safe During the Holiday Season
Both truck drivers and everyday motorists can help make the holidays safer by following a few key precautions:
- Give trucks extra space — large vehicles need more distance to stop safely.
- Avoid blind spots — if you can’t see the truck driver in their mirror, they can’t see you.
- Drive defensively — anticipate sudden lane changes, weather hazards, or reduced visibility.
- Slow down in poor conditions — snow, ice, and wind make handling more difficult for everyone.
- Stay alert and avoid distractions — phones, GPS devices, and multitasking can lead to disaster.
Making road safety a top priority during the holidays can help prevent tragedies and ensure everyone arrives home safely.
Contact Our Experienced Colorado Springs Trucking Accident Lawyers
If you or someone you love has been injured in a trucking accident, seek legal help immediately. Injuries from these crashes are often severe and life-altering, requiring ongoing medical care and financial support.
The experienced Colorado Springs personal injury attorneys at Schofield & Green Law Firm can investigate your case, identify negligent parties, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (719) 694-8515 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and learn more about your legal options.
