Driving or riding in a car is a popular mode of travel, but it’s also the deadliest. According to the National Safety Council (NSC),[1] automobiles have the highest passenger fatality rate per mile. But are certain occasions riskier than others?
It turns out that roadway deaths sometimes increase when the community celebrates major holidays. We’ll share the most dangerous days to drive and offer several tips to help you arrive at your destination safely.
Key Takeaways
- The holidays can be a time of joy but also increased danger on the roads.
- Independence Day, along with other summer holidays, tend to have the highest average daily fatality rate.[4]
- There are many factors that make holiday driving more dangerous, with alcohol impairment topping the list.
- You can take several steps to increase your safety while driving, such as being well-rested and staying sober.
- If you are in a car accident, pre-settlement funding can help you pay your bills while you wait for your day in court.
Why Holiday Driving Is So Dangerous
AAA projected that 107 million people would travel for the winter holidays in 2024. [2] That’s a lot of vehicles trying to occupy the same space at the same time, so it makes sense that the number of car accidents would increase during that period.
But increased traffic isn’t the only cause of danger on the roadways during the festivities. Other sources of peril include, but aren’t limited to:[3]
- Drowsy driving due to being sleep-deprived
- Distracted driving due to cell phone use, screaming children, holiday-related stress, or other disruptions to your focus
- Inclement weather and the associated poor driving conditions, such as icy roads
- Poor visibility when driving in the dark
- Drunk driving due to increased alcohol consumption
So, what holiday has the most car accidents? Let’s look at several common days of celebration.
The Deadliest Holidays for Driving, Ranked
We consulted data from the National Safety Council [1] to learn which holiday is the deadliest traffic day.
The NSC reports actual deaths and projected deaths for major holidays. Below, we’ll take a look at:
- The most recent data on actual deaths for each holiday. Most holidays have actual death data from 2022 or 2023.
- Projected deaths for each holiday. These are estimates provided by the NSC based on historical data. Most holidays have projected deaths for 2024 and 2025. Actual death numbers for more recent years have yet to be reported or published by the NSC.
We’re using actual death data to rank the most dangerous holidays to drive. We will also report on the most recent estimates of projected deaths.
Note: In all the fatal crashes reported by the Council, fewer than half of the people involved wore their seatbelts.[4,5,6,7,8,9]
1. Independence Day
One of the most dangerous days of the year to drive is Independence Day. In 2023, 602 vehicle occupants lost their lives.[4] Nearly 40% of those deaths were caused by drunk driving.
The NSC estimated that 437 people would die in a car accident on the Fourth of July in 2025.[4] The actual numbers have yet to be reported.
2. Thanksgiving
Historically, Thanksgiving has been a very risky day for road travelers. In 2022, 512 people died in automobile accidents, with more than one-third of the fatalities linked to alcohol impairment.[5]
The NSC estimated that 502 people would perish in a car accident during the Thanksgiving festivities of 2024.[5] The actual numbers have not yet been reported.
3. Labor Day
In 2023, 495 people were killed in a car accident on Labor Day, with 36% of those crashes involving a drunk driver.[6]
The NSC estimated that 424 people would die in a car on Labor Day in 2025.[6] The actual numbers have yet to be released.
4. Memorial Day
As we honored fallen service members in 2023, 465 people lost their lives in car accidents. Nearly four out of ten of those crashes involved an alcohol-impaired driver.[7]
The NSC estimated that 443 people would lose their lives in a crash during Memorial Day, 2025.[7] The actual numbers have not been reported yet.
5. New Year’s Day
401 people were killed in a car crash as we ushered in 2022, with more than one-third of those roadway deaths attributed to a drunk driver.[8]
The NSC estimated a much quieter day in 2025, with 179 projected fatalities.[8] The actual number of fatalities has yet to be reported.
6. Christmas
Christmas tends to be a little safer than other holidays. In 2022, 365 people died in car wrecks, with 38% of the fatalities linked to alcohol impairment.[9]
The NSC estimated that 131 people would perish in a Christmas auto accident in 2024[9]. The actual numbers for 2024 have yet to be released.
Holiday Travel Safety Tips
While getting on the road to celebrate may seem scary, there are many things you can do to prevent a holiday accident. Here are some best practices:[10]
- Make sure your car is well maintained to avoid malfunctions while traveling.
- Get enough sleep so you don’t nod off at the wheel.
- Avoid traveling during peak traffic times.
- Wear your seat belt every time you ride in a car – no excuses.
- Keep your phone tucked away and reduce as many other potential distractions as possible.
- Practice defensive driving and avoid being the aggressor, no matter how upset you become.
- Stay sober if there is any possibility you will need to drive.
- If you’ll be drinking, plan to take a cab, rideshare, or carpool with a designated driver. Don’t become another statistic.
Bonus tip: Sometimes, accidents happen despite our best efforts. So, make sure you have an emergency kit in your car that includes a blanket, road flares, first aid supplies, and other essentials.
Were You in a Holiday Car Accident? USClaims Can Help
The holidays can be a dangerous time to be in a car. Even if you remain sober and follow all the traffic laws, you may encounter a drunk or negligent driver that puts your life in danger.
If you’re involved in a car accident and are not at fault, pre-settlement funding can help you pursue a lawsuit to recoup the damages you are owed. From having to miss work to racking up medical bills, car accidents can result in a lot of financial pressure.
Pre-settlement funding helps qualified plaintiffs make ends meet while they wait for their case to end. That means you can pay your bills, afford rent, buy groceries, and breathe easy while you wait for your case to settle.
Our process is simple and fast. You may be able to receive your money in as little as 24 business hours once we approve your application.*
Talk to your lawyer and then apply for pre-settlement funding online or call us at 1-877-USCLAIMS to get started.
Note: We provide funding in most U.S. states, excluding Arkansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Holiday Accident FAQs
Are there more accidents during the holidays?
Which holiday is the deadliest traffic day?
What holiday has the most DUIs?
According to the most recent NSC data, the following holidays had the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired fatalities:[4, 7, 9]
- Memorial Day – 39%
- Christmas – 38%
- Independence Day – 38%
Is there financial help for truck accident victims?
Yes, there is financial help for truck accident victims. Pre-settlement funding can help you stay afloat while you wait for a court to award you damages.
Have Questions?
Our pre-settlement funding experts will walk you through our entire process.
Sources
National Safety Council. Injury Facts. “Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimate.” https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/holiday-introduction/
Diaz, Aixa. AAA. “Record Number of Holiday Travelers Expected to Close Out 2024.” 11 Dec. 2024. https://newsroom.aaa.com/2024/12/year-end-forecast/
Fulgencio Law. “7 Reasons Why More Car Accidents Happen Over the Holiday Season.” https://fulgencio-law.com/7-reasons-why-more-car-accidents-happen-over-the-holiday-season/
National Safety Council. Injury Facts. “Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimate – Independence Day.” https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/independence-day/
National Safety Council. Injury Facts. “Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimate – Thanksgiving Day.” https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/thanksgiving-day/
National Safety Council. Injury Facts. “Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimate – Labor Day.” https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/labor-day/
National Safety Council. Injury Facts. “Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimate – Memorial Day.” https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/memorial-day/
National Safety Council. Injury Facts. “Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimate – New Year’s Day.” https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/new-years-day/
National Safety Council. Injury Facts. “Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimate – Christmas Day.” https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/christmas-day/
National Safety Council. “Enjoy a Safe Holiday Season.” https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/winter-safety/holiday
*Funding subject to approval. We typically fund within 24 business-day hours after we receive a fully-executed contract. Additional restrictions may apply. Call for details.
**2X CAP may not be applicable for all types of cases and/or jurisdictions.
Disclaimer
Throughout this website, the term “loan” may be used for convenience to describe pre-settlement funding. However, such transactions are not loans in the legal sense. Repayment is strictly contingent upon the successful resolution of your case. If your case is unsuccessful, no repayment is required. Common terms like “lawsuit loan” are used colloquially but misrepresent the nonrecourse nature of pre-settlement funding.
