AAA Projects Largest Number of Holiday Travelers Ever; NHTSA Releases Holiday Traffic Fatality Statistics and Projections

WASHINGTON--Dec. 1, 20045, 2004--Record auto travel this Christmas-New Year's holiday could result in a surge of holiday traffic deaths, according to new data from AAA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of the nearly 51 million travelers AAA expects to be on the roads this holiday season, many will be traveling on some of the most dangerous travel days of the year, NHTSA warned.

NHTSA projections show that about 410 people will die in motor vehicle crashes during each of the two holiday periods (Christmas and New Year's), resulting in 820 fatalities. Forty-five percent of these fatalities will involve an impaired driver (BAC 0.08 or higher).

For this reason, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reminds motorists to drive safe and sober or face serious consequences. According to a GHSA survey, 40 states are planning special, stepped-up enforcement campaigns over the holidays. In the remaining states, drunk-driving enforcement will be a part of the everyday work of state and local troopers.

About 81 percent of the record 62.7 million holiday travelers will go by motor vehicle this year. The forecast of 50.9 million motor vehicle travelers is up 2.9 percent from the 49.4 million who drove a year ago, and represents the largest number of motorists in AAA's 11 years of holiday travel forecasts.

"Consumer spending and confidence are up from a year ago and, with both Christmas and New Year's Day falling on Saturdays, there are a number of ways travelers can take advantage of what for many will be two long weekends," said Robert L. Darbelnet, President and CEO of AAA. "But these long weekends will mean more concentrated travel, so expect crowded roads, increased delays and risky driving behavior."

Whether they will travel for the holiday or stay close to home, motorists will find impaired driving their greatest threat on the roads.

"Losing the equivalent of a fully loaded airliner every week to impaired driving is not acceptable," said Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D., Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "This holiday season and every day, our message is simple - always designate a sober driver and buckle up every trip, every time."

The Governors Highway Safety Association noted today that 40 states are conducting special holiday crackdowns to keep the roadways safe. "As highway safety officials, we are sick and tired of the needless tragedies caused by drunk driving. To those who insist on endangering themselves and others, our message is simple: You will pay a serious price," said Colonel Jim Champagne, Chair of GHSA. "Police will be enforcing the law this holiday season and there will be no exceptions and no excuses."

AAA's holiday travel figures are based on economic modeling and a national telephone survey of 1,397 adults by the Travel Industry Association of America, which conducts special research for AAA.

NHTSA's highway fatality data was compiled by its National Center for Statistics and Analysis.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), under the U.S. Department of Transportation, was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970, as the successor to the National Highway Safety Bureau, to carry out safety programs under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 and the Highway Safety Act of 1966.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is the nonprofit association representing the highway safety agencies of the states and territories. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and to implement state highway safety plans.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its more than 47 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

AAA news releases are available from http://www.aaa.com/news