Holidays are a high risk time for pedestrian accident in Atlanta. Just recently, AJC.com reported on a pedestrian death which occurred over the Labor Day weekend. The man had been driving a 2002 Acura MDX on Interstate 75 when the car drifted off the road and hit a guardrail.  The driver got out of the vehicle, which was disabled by the accident.

The man was on the road after the accident, when he was struck by another vehicle. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's office indicated the victim was 40-years-old at the time of the pedestrian accident. He was believed to have been from the Atlanta area. The pedestrian accident happened at around 3:45 AM and several lanes of I-75 were shut down for hours near Mount Paran Road.  Police are not sure if alcohol or speeding was involved in the accident, as a crash investigation is still being conducted.

Unfortunately, the pedestrian accident was one of many which occur each year over holiday periods. The holidays are an especially high risk time on the road and pedestrians have to be aware of dangers.  Drivers also must do their part to try to avoid holiday accidents by driving safely and watching carefully for pedestrians.

Labor Day is one of many holidays which result in an increased accident risk because of more people traveling on the roads and because of more people drinking.  Other high risk holidays for pedestrian accidents include the Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. With many of these holidays coming up soon, it is important for drivers and pedestrians to understand added accident dangers.

Halloween is a time when there are many pedestrians on the roads, including children who go trick-or-treating. Older adults also attend parties, where there is sometimes drinking. Drivers on Halloween need to know of increased pedestrian traffic so they can be watchful of children and avoid doing anything dangerous, like getting behind the wheel drunk, speeding, or driving while distracted. It is especially important for motorists to be extra cautious in residential neighborhoods during the hours when kids are likely to be out trick or treating on Halloween.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are all dangerous for the same two reasons: more travelers on the roads and more drinking. As people travel to see friends and family, the volume of traffic goes up. More people on the roads means more of a chance of pedestrians getting hit by cars while walking. During these festive occasions, a lot of people also will get together and drink at parties, which can lead to people getting behind the wheel when they are over-the-limit. Intoxicated drivers may not be able to see or react to pedestrians, causing a significantly increased crash risk. Pedestrians need to be watchful for vehicles during holiday weekends, and should know their rights if they are hurt in a collision.