4th of July Accident Statistics: Traffic Data & Facts By Year

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

Independence Day Traffic Fatalities By Year
YearTraffic Fatalities
1995631
1996609
1997492
1998458
1999499
2000683
2001173
2002660
2003500
2004502
2005565
2006629
2007184
2008472
2009398
2010365
2011405
2012157
2013461
2014347
2015366
2016397
2017529
2018175
2019498
2020480
2021517

Percentage of Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Fatalities

Percentage of Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Fatalities
YearIndependence DayAnnual Average
198259%48%
198355%47%
198455%44%
198549%41%
198655%42%
198748%41%
198851%40%
198947%38%
199055%40%
199145%38%
199245%36%
199342%34%
199444%33%
199537%32%
199636%32%
199740%30%
199843%30%
199935%30%
200039%32%
200144%31%
200236%31%
200343%31%
200440%31%
200544%31%
200637%32%
200745%32%
200844%31%
200939%32%
201038%31%
201137%30%
201245%31%
201339%31%
201441%30%
201535%29%
201642%28%
201738%29%
201841%29%
201939%28%
202041%30%
202139%31%

Comparing Holidays: Average Traffic Deaths Per Day

Comparing Holidays: Average Traffic Deaths Per Day
YearNew Year’s DayMemorial Day Independence DayLabor DayThanksgiving DayChristmas Day
1995145148151122105
1996127152143156134109
1997141153151149130110
1998125118141138138109
1999107152154144133140
2000141139161158117129
2001104154138133136135
200213014915616512491
2003162145154151128115
2004129153154148131114
2005138158174154142118
2006133152148150147117
2007119146147156128107
20089612714514611496
20091081421221089476
2010881201121209877
2011941201251158879
20121071131261169583
2013811031081148570
20141011041071119584
2015831141131229286
20168612112211810398
201710110612410610992
2018100132140133102100
201910113911713597109
202011612214815711999
2021122139159156121116

Sources:

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