The holidays offer an opportunity to travel to destinations both familiar and new, exchange thoughtful gifts, and enjoy good food and company. However, holidays in the United States come with their fair share of risk as well. Around major holidays, there is frequently an uptick in traffic collisions, injuries, and fatalities. Between unfamiliar areas and traffic rules, a heightened risk of fatigue, and a greater risk of intoxicated drivers on the road, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings and practice defensive driving.
In this article, we take a deeper look at crash statistics over recent years to examine some of the deadliest U.S. holidays for motor vehicle travel.
Cinco de Mayo
According to crash statistics provided by AutoInsurance.org, Cinco de Mayo saw 1,256 fatal car crashes over the past three years, with an average of 419 fatal incidents per year. Of the fatal collisions during this timeframe, roughly 37% involved drunk driving. In a previous study by AutoInsurance.org, Cinco de Mayo was ranked the 10th deadliest U.S. holiday for drivers – in one year, the holiday moved up five ranks to be the 5th deadliest holiday, per their metrics.
Independence Day
Independence Day has consistently been a dangerous holiday for motor vehicle travel for many years. The National Safety Council (NSC) offers the following statistics regarding crashes around Independence Day:
- 303 lives could have been saved over the previous three years if the occupants had been wearing seat belts
- 52% of Independence Day crash-related fatalities occurred due to a lack of seat belt use
- 38% of crashes around the holiday involved drunk driving
The 4th of July
Drinking and driving frequently peak around the 4th of July holiday, as summer barbecues and get-togethers are in full swing. This unfortunately results in a higher number of fatal accidents. According to the NSC, there were an average of 119 traffic-related fatalities per day over the 2019 4th of July weekend. This timeframe ran from 6:00 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the holiday through 11:59 p.m. on the Sunday following.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving sees a disproportionate number of fatal collisions every year. One factor that may play an important role over this holiday period is the amount of distance traveled by motorists. Thanksgiving is frequently a time where entire families assemble to celebrate together, which may force people to drive long distances in unfamiliar areas or terrain.
Some companies may not give their workers the day(s) leading up to Thanksgiving off, leading to fatigued or hurried drivers on the road in higher-than-usual numbers. A recent study compiled by Stone Rose Law indicates that Thanksgiving was the deadliest holiday in Arizona in 2020, in terms of traffic-related fatalities.
New Year’s Eve
A holiday known for alcohol-fueled revels, New Year’s Eve has historically been one of the most dangerous times for drivers. Even with the growing popularity of rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft, there are a considerable number of drivers that elect to take the risk of driving intoxicated. On an annual basis, nearly 50% of traffic fatalities around this time of the year are due to alcohol consumption.
Staying Safe Around the Holidays
Travelling during the holiday season can be stressful and exhausting. Whether you’re making a cross-country trip to visit with family or driving across town, we hope that these tips help you and your loved ones stay safe. We recommend:
- Practicing defensive driving and always wearing a seat belt
- Limiting distractions, including cellphones and vehicle devices
- Staying alert to the signs of impaired, fatigued, or reckless drivers around your vehicle
- Safely securing pets and children appropriately for drives of any length
- Observing posted speed limits