What Is The Most Dangerous Time Of Day To Be On The Roads?

Driving is the most dangerous activity the average American performs multiple times daily. When most people get behind the wheel, the thought of getting into a car accident never even crosses their minds. Drivers are more focused on reaching their destinations quickly. However, motorists are exposed to varying risks during their commutes depending on the time of day, day of the week, and time of the year. While the last thing any driver wants is to be seriously injured in a crash, car accidents are a part of driving.

The Riskiest Times For Driving

Independence Day and New Year’s Day have historically been the most dangerous days for Americans to be on the road. Even though collisions can occur daily, at any time, accidents are much more rampant at certain hours on specific days of the week. Additionally, the following times and days are the most dangerous:

1. Rush Hour: During the evening rush hour, many motorists are hungry and tired after a long day at work. Many of these commuters are thinking more about what they want to eat for dinner than driving safely. This helps explain why most collisions occur between 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
2. Late Night: Although there are fewer vehicles during the nighttime and much less traffic, the deadliest hours to be on the road are from 12:00 a.m. to 4 a.m. During the late hours of the night, drivers are likelier to drink and drive, speed, disregard traffic lights, and not wear seat belts. Combining these reckless behaviors with the darkest nights significantly contributes to more severe accidents. As a result, the death rate per mile driven late at night is approximately three times higher than during the day.  
3. Weekends: Friday and Saturday are the two deadliest days of the week to drive, with accident-related deaths peaking on Saturday evenings. With drivers trying to unwind and enjoy their time off on the weekend, it is not surprising the fatalities are almost double that of a typical weekday.
4. Month: The deadliest month of the most recent year was October, with August in 2nd place. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 4,000 victims suffered fatal injuries during both months. 
5. Summer: With many families going on road trips, friends getting together, and teens being off from school, summer is the most dangerous season to drive in. There are more collisions between Memorial Day and Labor Day than in any other period. It is even named “The 100 Deadliest Days” because roughly 12,000 victims lose their lives in car accidents every summer. 

Knowing when the roads are most treacherous and driving especially cautious or avoiding driving altogether during the above times is the best way to stay safe.

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Jed Dietrich, Esq., celebrated as an Attorney and Practice Magazine’s Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney, and his veteran car accident injury lawyers have decades of practice fighting for crash victims and their families. Our battle-tested team will do everything possible to hold the responsible driver liable and ensure that justice is restored. Contact us anytime at 716-839-3939 to discover more about how our elite attorneys can help you. Schedule your no-obligation, complimentary consultation, and case assessment today!