Happy 4th of July Weekend -Be careful out there!
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been tracking car crash statistics for a quarter-century. The Fourth of July almost always tops the list. Statistics gathered over the past 25 years show that, on average, about half of all deadly traffic crashes on July Fourth are related to alcohol. Other holidays on the grim list include Labor Day, New Year's, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
In the summer of 2008 491 people died in car accidents during the three-day Fourth of July weekend. Out of that total, 43% died as a result of alcohol-impaired driving. By comparison, 423 people died that same year during the four-day period surrounding New Year's Day. In that case, 41% were alcohol-related.
In addition, research by the traffic-safety administration has consistently shown that more people are killed in crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver on the weekends and at night. In 2008 alone, 58% of drivers and motorcycle riders were killed in alcohol-related crashes that took place over the weekend and at night. But no matter what day it is, most crash fatalities occur on two-lane roads. Also, more people die while driving in rain compared with snow or sleet.
Holiday Fatalities % of deaths alcohol-related
Fourth of July 491 43%
Labor Day 487 40%
Memorial Day 425 41%
New Year's 423 41%
Thanksgiving 502 36%
Christmas 420 34%
Source: Happy 4th of July Weekend -Be careful out there!
