How Phones, Passengers, and Holiday Stress Fuel Distracted Driving Accidents

Holiday travel should be a time for celebration, not collisions, but every year, distracted driving becomes one of the leading causes of serious crashes as Louisiana residents hit the road. A recent 10-year Louisiana holiday crash analysis found that several holidays see major spikes in serious accidents, especially those involving alcohol or night driving. When combined with the added mental and physical distractions of holiday travel, crash risk rises sharply between November and January.

The holiday season creates a perfect storm of congestion, stress, and multitasking, making it far more difficult for drivers to stay focused. Understanding why these months are so dangerous, and what drivers can do to reduce risk, is key to keeping Louisiana roads safer.

Why Distracted Driving Spikes During the Holidays

Several seasonal factors converge to create some of the worst distracted driving conditions of the year. These include increased traffic volume, heavier reliance on smartphones, heightened emotional stress, and the chaotic nature of holiday travel.

Below are the leading reasons distraction climbs during the holiday season.

1. More Drivers and Heavier Traffic

Holiday periods bring a significant jump in roadway congestion as people travel for gatherings, school breaks, shopping, and events. During Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Mardi Gras, Louisiana sees higher volumes of both in-state and out-of-state drivers.

Heavy traffic magnifies distraction because:

• Drivers must respond more quickly to sudden stops
• There is less room for error
• Lane changes and merges become more frequent
• Slowdowns make drivers more tempted to check their phones or multitask

Congestion creates conditions where any distraction, even one second of inattention, can cause a serious crash.

2. Increased Phone Use for Holiday Coordination

Phone use is one of the top causes of distracted driving year-round, but it becomes especially dangerous during the holidays. Drivers are more likely to be:

• Coordinating with family about arrival times
• Checking messages and social media
• Using navigation apps in unfamiliar areas
• Responding to last-minute changes
• Tracking online orders or deliveries

Even quick glances to check directions or skip a song can take a driver’s eyes off the road long enough to miss brake lights, drifting vehicles, or traffic signals.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving kills more than 3,000 people per year, and phone use remains the number one contributor.

3. Passengers Create More Distractions

Holiday travel often means full vehicles, kids out of school, relatives visiting, pets coming along, and cars packed with gifts or luggage. This environment increases both manual and cognitive distraction.

Common passenger distractions include:

• Children demanding attention
• Conversations that pull focus from the road
• Reaching into the back seat
• Passing items around the car
• Noise or movement that draws the driver’s eyes

With more happening inside the vehicle, drivers have to work harder to stay focused on outside conditions.

4. Holiday Stress Increases Mental Distraction

Mental distraction is one of the most overlooked but dangerous forms of distracted driving. Stress over family obligations, tight schedules, shopping lists, finances, or travel delays can occupy a driver’s mind even if their hands are on the wheel.

A mentally distracted driver:

• Reacts more slowly to hazards
• Misses visual cues
• Drifts between lanes
• Struggles to maintain a consistent speed

Holiday pressure makes it easier for drivers to “zone out,” especially during long or familiar routes.

5. Nighttime and Winter Conditions Make Distraction Deadlier

During the holiday months, more driving happens after dark due to shorter daylight hours. Night driving reduces visibility, making it harder to spot obstacles or judge distance.

In Louisiana, additional factors, such as rain, fog, glare from decorations, or wet pavement, further cut visibility and increase braking time. When visibility drops, any distraction becomes far more dangerous.

A driver looking down at their phone for just two seconds at 45 mph may travel more than 130 feet, enough to cause a severe collision on a dark or wet roadway.

How Drivers Can Reduce Holiday Distraction

Although holiday traffic adds unavoidable challenges, drivers can significantly reduce risk by improving their habits and reducing opportunities for distraction.

Here’s how:

Eliminate Phone Temptation

Turning on Do Not Disturb while driving, silencing notifications, or placing the phone out of reach prevents impulsive checking. Pre-set your GPS, playlist, and climate controls before moving the vehicle.

Let a Passenger Be Your Co-Pilot

If possible, designate a passenger to handle:

• Navigation
  
• Phone calls and texts
  
• Adjusting music
  
• Keeping kids calm
  
• Reading directions aloud
  

Removing these tasks reduces both mental and manual distraction.

Plan Your Route in Advance

Holiday closures, detours, and event traffic can complicate travel. Reviewing your route beforehand limits the need to constantly check the GPS and helps you avoid stressful last-minute decisions.

Give Yourself Extra Time

Running late increases the likelihood of multitasking, speeding, and aggressive driving. Building in a buffer makes the drive calmer and reduces the impulse to check your phone or rush through traffic.

Minimize Disruption Inside the Vehicle

Before starting the trip, remind passengers, especially kids, to stay seated, keep noise reasonable, and wait until the vehicle stops before asking for help. Consider giving children books, tablets, or snacks to limit disruptions.

Adjust Driving for Nighttime or Wet Weather

Slowing down, increasing following distance, using low-beam headlights during fog, and keeping windows clear can help counteract winter visibility issues. The worse the conditions, the more attention drivers need on the road.

Keeping Louisiana Roads Safer This Holiday Season

Holiday travel will always bring some amount of chaos, but distracted driving doesn’t have to be part of it. By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps to stay focused, drivers can protect themselves, their passengers, and everyone sharing the road.

Staying alert, patient, and distraction-free is one of the simplest ways to keep Louisiana’s roadways safer during the most celebrated and busiest time of the year.