New Year’s Eve and Day are some of the most dangerous times to be on the road. Car accidents are especially common on these nights because of the festivities going on. As the parties wind down, people get behind the wheel of their cars and drive home, despite being intoxicated. Unfortunately, when other people make the decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you can be the one to get hurt in the resulting car accident.
Now that the New Year’s holiday counting period is over and the figures are in, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has released the statistics from the start of 2017. In all, the numbers were mixed: More people were hurt in car accidents for New Year’s 2017 than for New Year’s 2016, but 2016 saw more crashes and three more fatalities.
Car Accidents from New Year’s 2017
Because of the potential for more car accidents over the New Year’s holiday, police in Missouri kept a close eye on the number of crashes that happen between 6pm on Friday, December 30, and 11:59pm on Monday, January 2. This 78-hour window, called the New Year’s holiday counting period, spanned the whole of this year’s long weekend. It was meant to include both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and also the Friday night before the long weekend, and all of the Monday that so many people got off from work.
During this counting period, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that its troopers had investigated 220 car accidents. These accidents resulted in 84 people getting hurt, as well as two fatalities. Both of the people who died in car accidents this year were not wearing their seatbelts.
Police in Missouri also cracked down on driving infractions, making 103 arrests for drunk driving.
2017 Number Mixed When Compared to 2016
The accident numbers from New Year’s 2017 are largely similar to what happened last year, for New Year’s 2016. In that year’s counting period, which was also a 78-hour window, there were 235 car accidents. These resulted in 59 injuries, as well as five fatalities. Therefore, despite there being fewer car accidents in 2017, there were significantly more injuries on the road this year, showing how the number of car accidents can overlook how serious each one was.
The numbers of drunk driving arrests this year was also similar to the total made during New Year’s 2016, when 109 arrests were made.
The numbers from both New Year’s 2017 and 2016 paled in comparison to those from New Year’s 2015, though. However, New Year’s 2015 came with a 102-hour counting period, heightening numbers.
St. Joseph Car Accident Attorneys at Smith Law Office
The New Year’s holiday is one of the most risky times to be on the road. If you or someone you love suffers a personal injury in a car accident that was caused by someone else, you need the attorneys at the Smith Law Office in St. Joseph. By fighting for your rights and interests both in and out of court, we can ensure you get the compensation for your injuries that you need and deserve. Contact us online or at (816) 875-9373.