Research and studies have repeatedly shown that certain days a year are more prone to car accidents and hazards. A lot of these accidents revolve around the holidays, but there are a few days that may surprise you. These are the top ten most dangerous driving days.
New Year’s Day
Let’s start with New Year’s Day. Drinking plays a huge factor in placing New Year’s Day in the top ten worst days for driving every year. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, January 1st ranked as the No. 1 day of the year with the highest percentage of deaths related to alcohol.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving makes the top ten worst days for driving because it is also one of the busiest days on the roads. If you add aggressive driving to eager commuters, you have a recipe for an accident.
St. Patrick’s Day
Alcohol plays a factor once again in putting St. Patrick’s Day in the top ten list for deadly traveling days. Any time after midnight is a bad time to be on the road during this holiday.
Christmas
Christmas ranks in the top ten list for deadliest travel days. If you combine holiday stress with busy roads, you get a recipe for aggressive driving. This leads to as much as a 33 percent increase in accidents.
July 4th
July 4th was ranked the deadliest holiday from 2010 to 2014, according to IIHS.gov. The combination of increased traffic and alcohol contributes to these fatalities.
Friday the 13th
This day cracks the top ten list for deadliest travel days. Studies have shown the fatality rate went up roughly 13 percent in the U.K. every Friday the 13th.
Black Friday
Black Friday combines sleep deprivation with congested traffic to make this list. People are also in a hurry, and this can result in more aggressive driving.
NFL Game Day
A study done by the Highway Loss Data Institute found that accidents went up around stadiums where games were played. They contribute this to angry drivers and alcohol.
Daylight Savings
The shift of losing and gaining an hour may be wreaking havoc on drivers. A study by a student at the University of Colorado Boulder showed that there were over 300 traffic-related deaths within the first six hours of daylight savings time.
Memorial Day
The final day on our list is Memorial Day. This is the beginning of summer and a hectic driving day. Alcohol also contributes to the high fatality count.
If you have to drive during one of these days, exercise extreme caution. You don’t want to become another statistic because of an accident that could have been avoided. In the instance that you are injured in a car accident, be sure to have adequate legal representation.