Iowa Sees a 70% Increase in Drunk Driving Fatalities for Thanksgiving

The holidays are here. It's time for turkey, ham, stuffing, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, and pie! Lots of pie! Yes, the holidays it seems were made for overindulgence. That is exactly the issue that Iowa is attempting to combat for our roadways this holiday. No, it's not because you ate too much turkey, but it's most definitely tied to Iowa's love of all things boozy.

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New data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that during Thanksgiving week, Iowa experiences a 70% increase in drunk-driving crashes per day compared to a typical week. On average, there are 2.25 fatal crashes per day during the holiday, up from 1.32 on a non-holiday day. That puts Iowa at #8 in the nation for the biggest spike in holiday drunk-driving fatalities. Christmas week is half that dangerous with a 32.5% increase in crashes, ranking #9 nationwide.

Information was gathered by researchers at Murphy & Prachthauser. They analyzed five years of drunk-driving crash data during the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to produce the above graphic.

It's important to remember that these are not just numbers, these are real lives. Families hitting the road to visit relatives or friends might think a quick drink or two is harmless, but the stats tell a different story. Late-night driving after a party, holiday drinks at a neighbor’s house, or celebrating at a big family dinner can quickly turn tragic, and it's quite easy to overindulge during all that family bonding.

Experts recommend planning ahead. It's really quite easy: designate a sober driver, use rideshare services (Uber/Lyft), or even stay overnight if your travels are long. Simple choices can make the difference between a joyous holiday and a nightmare on the roads. We Iowans take pride in our hospitality, our gatherings, and yes, our spirits. Let’s just make sure the only spirits we enjoy are in our glasses, not behind the wheel. Keep the holiday cheer alive, but keep it safe; your friends, family, and local emergency responders will thank you for it.