The summer holidays are a time when people come together with family, friends and often their co-workers for barbecues, fireworks and possibly a day at the beach. Unfortunately, the summer holidays can also be a very dangerous time to be out on the roads.
The very same celebrations that see people flocking to popular parks and family members’ houses also increase the risk of motor vehicle collisions. Obviously, higher traffic density on highways and major thoroughfares often translates to increased crash risk. However, it is actually alcohol consumption at parties and the predictable surge in drunk driving crashes that creates most of the statistical risk.
All of the federal holidays in the summer see an increased risk
Overall, Independence Day is the most dangerous summer holiday, as it sees a 77% increase in the number of drunk driving crashes, and the weekend closest to the Fourth of July tends to be the weekend with the most fatal crashes related to alcohol all year. Labor Day also sees quite a few drunk driving crashes, as the holiday averages 54% higher crash rates and is often the second deadliest weekend all year. Memorial Day rounds out the list with 51% higher risk.
Every summer holiday is dangerous in terms of drunk driving risk. The one exception to this is Juneteenth, which has recently become a federally-acknowledged holiday. As traditions for this holiday become more established and there are more years of traffic records, it will eventually be possible to compare Juneteenth to the other three summer holidays that all currently see a significant uptick in collisions.
Safe celebrating is of the utmost importance
When people know about their risks on the road, including the increased possibility of encountering a drunk driver on holidays and the weekends closest to them throughout the summer, they will be in a better position to make safety-conscious decisions about when they drive and how they celebrate the holidays.
Recognizing that all of the major summer holidays except for Juneteenth currently feature a statistically increased risk of a drunk driving wreck might help individuals make safer choices for their summer celebrations.
