- Apr 14, 2001
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The Deadliest Days Of the Year to Drive
40,000 in U.S. Die Each Year on the Road
By Ellen Learner
insuance.com
There are those who, by reason of deep-seated fear, won't get into airplanes. Some people avoid elevators, others sports stadiums. And even though it's almost impossible to stay out of cars, it's pretty much a guarantee that a disaster is going to hit a highway near you. But for those who are nervous when getting into a car, there's good news: we can now tell you which days to leave the car in the garage. You might have guessed it from the old truisms and the increased number of troopers, radar guns at the ready, hiding under bridges, but now we have the numbers to prove what we once surmised: the holidays and weekends are no time to be traveling by car.
10 Deadliest Days of the Year To Drive
1. July 4
2. July 3
3. December 23
4. August 3
5. January 1
6. August 6
7. August 4
8. August 12
9. July 2
10. September 2
Vacations and driving don't mix
The 4th of July, sadly, is the day that we kill each other in the highest numbers on the road. Between 1986 and 2002 there were, on the average, 161 people killed on our highways and byways on Independence Day. July 3, is the second deadliest day, followed by a hurrying-home-for-the-holiday-but-going-to-the-cemetery-instead December 23rd. New Year's Day and Labor Day are in the running as well. Naturally, the increased numbers on the road are a factor, but as we all know, holidays=drinking=more deaths.
Death takes a holiday
Perhaps you can't avoid the trips to the in-laws on the holiday, but you can choose when to vacation. The statistics would suggest that you stay out of the car and stick to the beach in August. Deaths are directly related to the number of miles driven, and August, our biggest month for driving, averages the greatest number of crash deaths (132) per day. Prefer to pick one day per week? Saturday is the cruelest day of all, and weekend evenings from 9 PM to 10 PM is the most dangerous hour.
Even even walking gets scary
If you're a pedestrian, you shouldn't be walking home from your New Year's Eve party-January 1st, besides being one of the top 5 days for crash deaths, it's Number One for pedestrian deaths. Parents should be advised to watch their kids on Halloween. The drivers are scarier than the ghosts, witches or headless horsemen: day Number Two for pedestrian deaths, frighteningly, is October 31.
Ala, knowledge is power
Mark these days on your calendar, and if you have to get behind the wheel, buckle your seat belt (as always), drive extra defensively. And of course, don't drink and drive.
More Deadly Days
In addition to the deadliest days here are some other interesting facts. The deadliest month to drive is August. The deadliest day of the week is Saturday and the deadliest time of day is 3:00-6:00pm.
Deadliest Month to Drive
1. August
2. October
3. July
4. November
5. September
Deadliest Day of the Week to Drive
1. Saturday
2. Friday
3. Thursday
4. Wednesday
5. Monday
6. Tuesday
7. Sunday
Deadliest Time of Day to Drive
1. 3:00 - 6:00pm
2. 6:00 - 9:00pm
3. 9:00 - Midnight
4. Noon - 3:00pm
5. Midnight - 3:00am
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "Traffic Safety Facts 2003"
40,000 in U.S. Die Each Year on the Road
By Ellen Learner
insuance.com
There are those who, by reason of deep-seated fear, won't get into airplanes. Some people avoid elevators, others sports stadiums. And even though it's almost impossible to stay out of cars, it's pretty much a guarantee that a disaster is going to hit a highway near you. But for those who are nervous when getting into a car, there's good news: we can now tell you which days to leave the car in the garage. You might have guessed it from the old truisms and the increased number of troopers, radar guns at the ready, hiding under bridges, but now we have the numbers to prove what we once surmised: the holidays and weekends are no time to be traveling by car.
10 Deadliest Days of the Year To Drive
1. July 4
2. July 3
3. December 23
4. August 3
5. January 1
6. August 6
7. August 4
8. August 12
9. July 2
10. September 2
Vacations and driving don't mix
The 4th of July, sadly, is the day that we kill each other in the highest numbers on the road. Between 1986 and 2002 there were, on the average, 161 people killed on our highways and byways on Independence Day. July 3, is the second deadliest day, followed by a hurrying-home-for-the-holiday-but-going-to-the-cemetery-instead December 23rd. New Year's Day and Labor Day are in the running as well. Naturally, the increased numbers on the road are a factor, but as we all know, holidays=drinking=more deaths.
Death takes a holiday
Perhaps you can't avoid the trips to the in-laws on the holiday, but you can choose when to vacation. The statistics would suggest that you stay out of the car and stick to the beach in August. Deaths are directly related to the number of miles driven, and August, our biggest month for driving, averages the greatest number of crash deaths (132) per day. Prefer to pick one day per week? Saturday is the cruelest day of all, and weekend evenings from 9 PM to 10 PM is the most dangerous hour.
Even even walking gets scary
If you're a pedestrian, you shouldn't be walking home from your New Year's Eve party-January 1st, besides being one of the top 5 days for crash deaths, it's Number One for pedestrian deaths. Parents should be advised to watch their kids on Halloween. The drivers are scarier than the ghosts, witches or headless horsemen: day Number Two for pedestrian deaths, frighteningly, is October 31.
Ala, knowledge is power
Mark these days on your calendar, and if you have to get behind the wheel, buckle your seat belt (as always), drive extra defensively. And of course, don't drink and drive.
More Deadly Days
In addition to the deadliest days here are some other interesting facts. The deadliest month to drive is August. The deadliest day of the week is Saturday and the deadliest time of day is 3:00-6:00pm.
Deadliest Month to Drive
1. August
2. October
3. July
4. November
5. September
Deadliest Day of the Week to Drive
1. Saturday
2. Friday
3. Thursday
4. Wednesday
5. Monday
6. Tuesday
7. Sunday
Deadliest Time of Day to Drive
1. 3:00 - 6:00pm
2. 6:00 - 9:00pm
3. 9:00 - Midnight
4. Noon - 3:00pm
5. Midnight - 3:00am
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "Traffic Safety Facts 2003"
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