Comparison of crashes during public holidays and regular weekends

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Comparison of crashes during public holidays and regular weekends

Anowar, Sabreena / Yasmin, Shamsunnahar / Tay, Richard

Highlights ► We identify differences in crash factors for public holidays and normal weekends. ► We find that fatal and injury crashes are over-represented during holidays. ► No restraint is more prevalent during holidays. ► Impaired driving and speeding are less prevalent during holidays. ► A balanced approach is needed to target crashes during holidays and normal weekends.

Abstract Traffic collisions and fatalities during the holiday festive periods are apparently on the rise in Alberta, Canada, despite the enhanced enforcement and publicity campaigns conducted during these periods. Using data from 2004 to 2008, this research identifies the factors that delineate between crashes that occur during public holidays and those occurring during normal weekends. We find that fatal and injury crashes are over-represented during holidays. Amongst the three risky behaviors targeted in the holiday blitzes (driver intoxication, unsafe speeding and restraint use), non-use of restraint is more prevalent whereas driver intoxication and unsafe speeding are less prevalent during holidays. The mixed results obtained suggest that it may be time to consider a more balanced approach to the enhanced enforcement and publicity campaigns.