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Thanksgiving is one of the busiest — and most dangerous — travel periods of the year in Georgia. Millions of residents hit the road to visit family and friends, celebrate the holiday, and enjoy long weekends. Unfortunately, this surge in traffic also results in a dramatic rise in car accidents across the state. As a Georgia personal injury law firm dedicated to protecting families, Kevin Patrick Law wants to help drivers stay safe and avoid preventable tragedies.
Whether you’re traveling across Atlanta, navigating rural highways, or making a long interstate trip, these Georgia Thanksgiving driving safety tips can help you reduce the risk of being involved in a crash.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety consistently report increased accidents, injuries, and fatalities during Thanksgiving week. Several factors contribute to this spike:
With more cars on I-75, I-85, I-20, and around metro Atlanta, the sheer volume of traffic significantly increases the chance of collisions.
Early-morning departures, long travel days, and returning home late Sunday night all contribute to drowsy driving — a major cause of crashes.
Drivers rely heavily on GPS, check messages from family, or manage kids in the backseat, making distraction more likely.
Thanksgiving Eve (often called “Blackout Wednesday”) is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year. Alcohol- and drug-related crashes rise dramatically during the holiday period.
Many drivers rush to beat traffic or make up time after delays, but speeding is consistently one of the top causes of serious accidents on Georgia roads.
Understanding these risks underscores the importance of preparing ahead and driving defensively throughout the holiday.
To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, follow these proven Thanksgiving travel safety strategies:
Traffic experts predict the heaviest congestion on:
Wednesday afternoon and evening
Thursday morning
Sunday afternoon and evening
If possible, leave early in the morning or late at night when roads are less crowded. Planning extra time into your schedule helps you avoid rushing — one of the biggest contributors to reckless driving.
A quick pre-trip safety check can prevent dangerous breakdowns:
Inspect tire pressure and tread
Check oil and coolant levels
Test headlights, brake lights, and turn signals
Ensure wiper blades work and washer fluid is full
Confirm your spare tire, jack, and emergency kit are ready
Mechanical failures are more common during holiday travel, and many can be avoided with basic preparation.
Georgia enforces the Hands-Free Georgia Act, which prohibits holding or using a phone while driving. To stay compliant and safe:
Set your GPS before pulling out of the driveway
Use hands-free calling and Bluetooth
Silence notifications
Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel
A momentary distraction can become catastrophic at highway speeds.
Thanksgiving celebrations often involve alcohol. Impaired driving is a leading cause of fatal holiday crashes. Ensure you:
Designate a sober driver
Use rideshare services
Stay overnight instead of driving home late
Call a cab or friend if needed
Georgia’s DUI penalties are severe, and impaired drivers who cause wrecks face both criminal charges and civil liability. Protect yourself and others by making smart decisions.
Seat belts save lives. According to GDOT, nearly half of Thanksgiving holiday fatalities involve an unbelted occupant. Make sure:
Everyone in the vehicle is buckled up
Children are in the correct car seat or booster
Teen passengers understand Georgia’s seat belt laws
Checking before you leave could be the difference between a survivable crash and a tragedy.
On congested roads, some drivers weave through traffic, tailgate, speed excessively, or brake suddenly. Stay safe by:
Keeping a safe following distance
Letting aggressive drivers pass
Never engaging in road rage
Maintaining awareness of vehicles in your blind spots
Defensive driving is one of the best ways to prevent collisions.
Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving. If you’re traveling long distances:
Stop every 2–3 hours
Switch drivers if possible
Get a full night’s sleep before leaving
Avoid driving late at night after a big meal
Fatigue slows reaction time and increases the likelihood of drifting between lanes or rear-ending another vehicle.
November weather in Georgia can be unpredictable. Fog, rain, early sunsets, and sudden temperature drops can reduce visibility or create slick roads. Prepare by:
Reducing speed during storms
Using low beams in fog
Turning on headlights in rain as required by law
Increasing following distance on wet roads
You cannot rely on other drivers to be careful — but you can improve your own safety.
Even with the best precautions, accidents still happen. If you’re involved in a crash:
Call 911 immediately
Move vehicles out of traffic, if safe
Get medical attention, even if you feel fine
Take photos and gather witness information
Do not admit fault or discuss details with the other driver
Notify your insurance company
Contact a Georgia car accident attorney before speaking to adjusters
Insurance companies often try to minimize Thanksgiving and holiday accident claims, especially when traffic or weather contributed to the crash.
At Kevin Patrick Law, our firm has extensive experience handling Georgia car accident cases — including those that occur during high-risk holiday travel periods. We help clients by:
Investigating the cause of the crash
Preserving critical evidence
Dealing with the insurance company
Ensuring injured victims get proper medical care
Securing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage
Our mission is to protect Georgia families and help them rebuild after serious accidents.
Thanksgiving should be a time of celebration, connection, and gratitude — not tragedy. By planning ahead, staying alert, and driving responsibly, you can significantly reduce the risk of being involved in a Georgia car accident.
If you or a loved one is injured in a crash this holiday season, Kevin Patrick Law is here to help guide you through the legal and recovery process.
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