Drunk Driving Dangers Spike in the Summer Months

It’s no secret that driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is dangerous, and can cause serious injury to passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists on the road. While most people are aware that holidays like St. Patrick’s Day and New Year’s Eve see more drunk driving accidents, did you know drunk driving accidents are also more likely to occur during the summer?

Summer weather often invites BBQs, pool parties, picnics, and the like, frequently accompanied by alcohol consumption. While relaxing by the pool with a cool beer is hardly a crime, not all people drink responsibly, and, unfortunately, far too many choose to get behind the wheel.

Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), revealed an average of 36 people die each day in the U.S. because of drunk driving crashes. On certain days of the year, the number of fatalities rose and fell, revealing when people are most at risk for involvement in a drunk driving accident.

Young drivers face a particularly high risk, both because of their inexperience as novice drivers, and because of underage drinking. The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day, which is summer vacation for most high schools, has been dubbed “The 100 Deadliest Days” for teenaged drivers. In fact, 9 of the 10 deadliest days for U.S. teens occur between May and August. The most deadly day of the year, unsurprisingly, is the 4^th of July.

Commonly celebrated with backyard BBQs and evening firework displays, the 4^th of July is in fact the deadliest day of the year in terms of driving accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that an average of 144 fatalities occur each Independence Day, and teens account for roughly 10% of those deaths. Other deadly days include September 2^nd, August 13^th, July 15^th, and May 20^th, most of which occur during the summertime. The most dangerous days typically fall on popular gathering days, like holidays or important sporting events.

The weekends are far more dangerous than week days, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Roughly 31% of all drunk driving accidents occur on the weekends, and the most intoxicated drivers are on the road between midnight and 3:00 a.m.. During the night, getting into a fatal accident with a drunk driver is 4 times more likely than it is during the daytime.

To learn more about the most dangerous times to drive, click here.