Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers | June 16, 2024 | Car Accidents
Did you know that the Fourth of July ranks first for the day of the year with the most car accidents? The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that nearly half of the traffic fatalities that occur on Independence Day weekend are alcohol-related. However, alcohol consumption isn’t the only reason why this day sees the most accidents. Some of the factors that contribute to July 4th crashes include:
- Drinking and driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs
- Congested roads from holiday traffic
- Tourists driving in unfamiliar areas
- Increased chance of reckless driving in summer
Quick Facts & Statistics
- In 2022, 487 people died in traffic crashes during the Fourth of July holiday period.
- 40% (196) of those fatalities occurred in drunk driving crashes.
- Of those who died in drunk driving crashes, 27% were in a crash involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration at or above .15 g/dL — almost twice the legal limit in almost every state.
- From 2018 to 2022, there were 2,228 traffic crash fatalities during the Fourth of July holiday period.
- 1,414 of those fatalities were a driver.
- 39% (545) of those drivers were drunk.
- The 21-34 age group had the highest percent (50%) of drunk drivers.
Below outlines the NSC analysis of NHTSA FARS data for Independence Day accident statistics.
Independence Day Traffic Fatalities By Year
| Year | Traffic Fatalities |
| 1995 | 631 |
| 1996 | 609 |
| 1997 | 492 |
| 1998 | 458 |
| 1999 | 499 |
| 2000 | 683 |
| 2001 | 173 |
| 2002 | 660 |
| 2003 | 500 |
| 2004 | 502 |
| 2005 | 565 |
| 2006 | 629 |
| 2007 | 184 |
| 2008 | 472 |
| 2009 | 398 |
| 2010 | 365 |
| 2011 | 405 |
| 2012 | 157 |
| 2013 | 461 |
| 2014 | 347 |
| 2015 | 366 |
| 2016 | 397 |
| 2017 | 529 |
| 2018 | 175 |
| 2019 | 498 |
| 2020 | 480 |
| 2021 | 517 |
Percentage of Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Fatalities
| Year | Independence Day | Annual Average |
| 1982 | 59% | 48% |
| 1983 | 55% | 47% |
| 1984 | 55% | 44% |
| 1985 | 49% | 41% |
| 1986 | 55% | 42% |
| 1987 | 48% | 41% |
| 1988 | 51% | 40% |
| 1989 | 47% | 38% |
| 1990 | 55% | 40% |
| 1991 | 45% | 38% |
| 1992 | 45% | 36% |
| 1993 | 42% | 34% |
| 1994 | 44% | 33% |
| 1995 | 37% | 32% |
| 1996 | 36% | 32% |
| 1997 | 40% | 30% |
| 1998 | 43% | 30% |
| 1999 | 35% | 30% |
| 2000 | 39% | 32% |
| 2001 | 44% | 31% |
| 2002 | 36% | 31% |
| 2003 | 43% | 31% |
| 2004 | 40% | 31% |
| 2005 | 44% | 31% |
| 2006 | 37% | 32% |
| 2007 | 45% | 32% |
| 2008 | 44% | 31% |
| 2009 | 39% | 32% |
| 2010 | 38% | 31% |
| 2011 | 37% | 30% |
| 2012 | 45% | 31% |
| 2013 | 39% | 31% |
| 2014 | 41% | 30% |
| 2015 | 35% | 29% |
| 2016 | 42% | 28% |
| 2017 | 38% | 29% |
| 2018 | 41% | 29% |
| 2019 | 39% | 28% |
| 2020 | 41% | 30% |
| 2021 | 39% | 31% |
Comparing Holidays: Average Traffic Deaths Per Day
| Year | New Year’s Day | Memorial Day | Independence Day | Labor Day | Thanksgiving Day | Christmas Day |
| 1995 | 145 | 148 | 151 | 122 | 105 | |
| 1996 | 127 | 152 | 143 | 156 | 134 | 109 |
| 1997 | 141 | 153 | 151 | 149 | 130 | 110 |
| 1998 | 125 | 118 | 141 | 138 | 138 | 109 |
| 1999 | 107 | 152 | 154 | 144 | 133 | 140 |
| 2000 | 141 | 139 | 161 | 158 | 117 | 129 |
| 2001 | 104 | 154 | 138 | 133 | 136 | 135 |
| 2002 | 130 | 149 | 156 | 165 | 124 | 91 |
| 2003 | 162 | 145 | 154 | 151 | 128 | 115 |
| 2004 | 129 | 153 | 154 | 148 | 131 | 114 |
| 2005 | 138 | 158 | 174 | 154 | 142 | 118 |
| 2006 | 133 | 152 | 148 | 150 | 147 | 117 |
| 2007 | 119 | 146 | 147 | 156 | 128 | 107 |
| 2008 | 96 | 127 | 145 | 146 | 114 | 96 |
| 2009 | 108 | 142 | 122 | 108 | 94 | 76 |
| 2010 | 88 | 120 | 112 | 120 | 98 | 77 |
| 2011 | 94 | 120 | 125 | 115 | 88 | 79 |
| 2012 | 107 | 113 | 126 | 116 | 95 | 83 |
| 2013 | 81 | 103 | 108 | 114 | 85 | 70 |
| 2014 | 101 | 104 | 107 | 111 | 95 | 84 |
| 2015 | 83 | 114 | 113 | 122 | 92 | 86 |
| 2016 | 86 | 121 | 122 | 118 | 103 | 98 |
| 2017 | 101 | 106 | 124 | 106 | 109 | 92 |
| 2018 | 100 | 132 | 140 | 133 | 102 | 100 |
| 2019 | 101 | 139 | 117 | 135 | 97 | 109 |
| 2020 | 116 | 122 | 148 | 157 | 119 | 99 |
| 2021 | 122 | 139 | 159 | 156 | 121 | 116 |
Sources:
- https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/safety-topics/drunk-driving/drive-sober-or-get-pulled-over/fourth-july
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/independence-day/
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