Car accidents are more likely on Memorial Day than on any other holiday, and this fact leads to injuries and even fatalities. Traffic will start today in most major cities around the United States. It is estimated that 43.8 million Americans are traveling this Memorial Day weekend. You and your loved ones are four times more likely to have a serious car crash, and this leads to fatal traffic accidents over this holiday weekend than on an average weekend.
As exciting as the holidays are, they can be some of the most dangerous times for driving.
To help keep you and your family safe this upcoming holiday season, our Meridian, Idaho, car accident chiropractors want to remind you of the top dangerous and deadliest holidays to drive and what you can do to stay safe. Here is how our holidays stack up against each other for accidents and injuries.
#1: Memorial Day
Memorial Day ranks surprisingly high among the most dangerous holidays for drivers, being the most dangerous weekend for driving. The NHTSA reports that Memorial Day weekend experiences four times the number of vehicle accidents compared to other holidays. Drunk driving is a factor in 37% of fatal accidents during this period. Furthermore, statistics show that 12 red lights are run every second throughout the weekend, and 52% of road fatalities involve individuals not wearing seat belts.
#2: Labor Day
Labor Day is the second most dangerous holiday for drivers. Over the past three years, 1,330 people have lost their lives in accidents during Labor Day weekend. On average, there are 445 fatal crashes during this four-day period, which is 20% higher than the average holiday.
#3: Independence Day-
Over the past many years, driving on Independence Day has been among the deadliest holidays. According to the NHTSA, there were 1,319 fatal crashes throughout the last three years. That works out to almost 440 deadly collisions every four days on average.
#4: New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is notorious for its high incidence of fatal car accidents. Research reveals that approximately 1,079 fatal car accidents happen each year within the four days around this holiday. This equates to an average of 360 deadly accidents annually. Alarmingly, 36% of these accidents are attributed to drunk driving.
#5: Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving car accidents each year are due to drunk driving over 34 % of the time. According to the NHTSA, there are 1,173 fatal car accidents during the four-day holiday period, averaging 391 fatal crashes per day.
Americans will be out in full force this year, traveling, boating, and reveling in the great outdoors. However, it is projected that Memorial Day will see 418 accident-related deaths.
Memorial Day Boating Accidents: Tips for Safe Boating on Memorial Day.
- Refrain from drinking when piloting a boat.
- Review Safe Boating Education Course
- Always wear a life jacket.
- Bring a communication device with you.
- Stay alert to weather conditions.
- Be attentive and know your waterway well.
- Bring all necessary Coast Guard-approved equipment.
Possible challenges when driving on Memorial Day include:
- Car Crashes
- Big Rig Crashes
- Motorcycle Crashes
- Boating Incidents
Memorial Day is the deadliest travel holiday in the US. Labor Day averages 312 fatalities, and the holiday we all think is the most lethal, July 4th, has around 307. Surprisingly, New Year’s Eve doesn’t even make the list. Fatal car accidents on New Year’s Eve are around 245. The most deadly city is Houston, Texas.
Accident-Related Injuries on Memorial DayIn this scenario, an injury means seeking medical attention from a doctor, specialist, or ER and not treating it at home. The projected number of nonfatal injuries for the 2021 Memorial Day period is 47,300, estimated between 38,400 and 57,200.
How We Travel on Memorial Day Weekend
43.8 million people are expected to be traveling. Not all of these will be traveling by car.
Planes: Approximately 3.51 million Americans will travel by air to their Memorial Day destinations, representing a 6.8% increase from the previous year.
Vehicles: About 38.4 million travelers will travel in their automobiles, a 4.7% increase from the prior year.
Cruise Ships, Buses, and Trains: Around 1.8 million people will travel via cruise ships, buses, and trains, which is a 2.4% increase.
The Worst Times to Hit the Road For Memorial Day.
Today is Thursday, and many people take Friday off to start their Memorial Day travels early.
In major cities like Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, and Jacksonville, traffic will build around 1:30 PM.
Expect your travel time to be about 1.5 times longer than usual. Exercise patience while driving today and tomorrow.
Top Reasons for Memorial Day Car Accidents
- Drinking and Driving
- Running Red Lights
- Increased Number of Vehicles on the Road
According to recent National Coalition for Safer Roads studies, Memorial Day weekend has the highest number of red traffic light violations.
This may be due to the driver’s frustration with the increased number of cars on the road or their haste to reach their destinations. The number of red-light violations on Memorial Day astounded me.
Gas prices may have increased recently, but that hasn’t stopped motorists from planning their Memorial Day travels. Please drive carefully and be patient this weekend. Expect heavier traffic and allow extra time to reach your destination. Hopefully, you and your family will enjoy creating lasting memories this holiday weekend.
