100 Days of Dangerous Driving End on Labor Day — but Is the Worst Yet To Come?

The roads of the future are likely to be busier than ever. With more than 3 trillion miles driven in 2023, a record number of Americans will once again get behind the wheel. More drivers on the road, whether commuting daily, driving or taking holiday trips, means more opportunities for distractions and danger. From buzzing cell phones to GPS updates, the myriad distractions we face while driving can quickly lead to life-threatening situations.

Historically, summer holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day see a spike in accidents, especially among younger drivers. Unfortunately, risky driving statistics don’t improve when summer ends. Holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are fast approaching, but they bring their own risks due to increased traffic, celebrations, and distractions.

The open road gives freedom, but it also requires focus. Understanding when and why these dangers are most prevalent is important to keep yourself and others safe. Let’s take a closer look at why these days are especially dangerous and how you can drive more safely.

The 100 most dangerous days of summer

As the calendar inches closer to Labor Day, the end of summer brings more than beach trips and barbecues. It also marks the end of what’s known as the “100 Most Dangerous Days of Summer,” a period notorious for its increased risks on the roads. This period, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, can be dangerous for drivers, with more vehicles on the roads, longer hours of daylight, and a surge in accidents due to the holiday season.

But even after the 100 deadliest days are over, the risks don’t go away. Labor Day weekend is a time of high accident risk and is frequently ranked as the most dangerous day to be on the road. But it’s not just the end of summer; the upcoming winter holidays bring their own challenges. These events are notorious for careless driving, increased alcohol consumption, and heavy traffic, making the coming months just as dangerous as the peak of summer. Here are some statistics that highlight just how dangerous the roads can be over the holiday weekend.

Most Distracted Driving Holiday

Even though summer is drawing to a close, the risks of distracted driving remain. In fact, the following holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve – are some of the most dangerous days to drive. These celebrations bring an unfortunate combination of packed schedules, travel stress, and distractions that can quickly turn joyous moments into tragedy. Depending on the state you’re traveling through, the holiday season often comes with some hazardous road conditions.

Overall, the increase in distracted driving over these 12 holidays over the past four years has resulted in more than 11,800 crashes, 6,600 injuries, 50 deaths, and $468 million in economic damages.

— US Road Risk Landscape 2024, Cambridge Mobile Telematics

The dangers of distracted driving are often overlooked, especially around the holidays when celebrations and travel plans take center stage. But statistics paint a harsh reality of how costly this carelessness can be. From increased screen time while driving to increased accidents, injuries and even fatalities, these high-risk days not only cost the lives involved, but also create a ripple effect of economic loss that affects us all.

Below, we analyze 12 holidays when distracted driving spikes and show the direct correlation between these moments of distraction and their dire consequences. Understanding the data isn’t just about being informed, it’s about being prepared to drive safely during these critical times.

The economic costs associated with these accidents include not only property damage and medical expenses, but also lost productivity and lost wages. For example, the annual economic impact of car accidents in the United States is estimated to total $242 billion, of which $99 billion is due to medical expenses and lost productivity. The average accident claim includes more than $15,000 in bodily injury costs and more than $3,000 in property damage compensation.

A spike in accidents during high-risk periods could also lead to higher average auto insurance premiums for everyone. More accidents generally lead to higher claims frequency, forcing insurers to adjust rates to cover these costs. While the financial loss is measurable, the emotional loss and lost lives are immeasurable, which is why it’s so important to stay focused and responsible while driving.

Common Causes of Distracted Driving

Understanding the dangers of distracted driving is just the beginning. Identifying common causes makes it clear how easily our attention can be taken away from the road and how disastrous the consequences can be. Here are some common causes of distracted driving that you may or may not know about:

• Mobile phone usage: Texting, talking, and using apps are some of the biggest distractions for drivers.
• Food and Drink: Having a snack or drinking a cup of coffee while driving often causes you to take your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road.
• Conversation with passengers: Having a deep conversation or dealing with kids in the back seat can easily distract you.
• Leveraging in-vehicle technology: Adjusting the GPS, changing the music, and fiddling with the controls can easily distract you from driving.
• Fantasy: Loss of mental focus, such as distractibility and daydreaming, is a significant but often overlooked cause.
• Grooming: Putting on makeup or styling your hair while driving is a common but extremely dangerous distraction.

States with hands-free laws are taking proactive steps to mitigate these risks. The Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) 2024 Highway Safety Report highlights that 29 states have hands-free laws that prohibit handling of cell phones while driving under any circumstances. These states typically have lower rates of distracted driving, accidents, and fatalities. For example, in 2023, states with hands-free laws had an average of 1 minute and 35 seconds per hour of distraction using a cell phone, compared to 1 minute and 44 seconds in states without hands-free laws. Even an improvement of just 9 seconds can save a life.

Ohio, Alabama, Michigan and Missouri were the first states to enact hands-free laws. These states saw an average 7.1% decrease in cell phone usage after the laws went into effect. Based on accident statistics from the NHTSA’s 2023 report, CMT estimates that hands-free laws have prevented 8,200 accidents, 4,600 injuries, 37 deaths and $325 million in economic damages.

Interestingly, rural states, which often lack comprehensive hands-free laws, have higher rates of distracted driving. In fact, rates of distraction due to cell phones are 15.3% higher in most rural states than in urban areas. This difference suggests that fewer drivers and more open roads can create a false sense of security, which can lead to risky behavior while driving.

As more states consider implementing hands-free laws, the hope is that stricter regulations will help curb the dangerous habit and ultimately save lives.

How to make driving safer

While it is important to understand the risks of distracted driving, it is equally important to take proactive steps to make your driving safer. Whether you’re planning a holiday road trip or navigating everyday traffic, there are simple actions you can take to protect yourself and others.

• Limit distractions: If you need to take a call, keep your cell phone out of reach or use a hands-free option. Avoid activities such as eating, adjusting your GPS or grooming while driving.
• Plan ahead: Before you begin your trip, set your destination on your GPS, choose your playlist, and address any other distractions that may occur while driving.
• Stay focused: Practice defensive driving by keeping your eyes on the road, watching for potential hazards, and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles.
• Don’t drink and drive: If you are going to drink alcohol, have a designated driver or use a ride-sharing service. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair your reaction time and judgment.
• Adjust to your needs: Slow down and increase your following distance in bad weather, heavy traffic, or poor visibility.

In addition to these tips, telematics programs are becoming a valuable tool for promoting safer driving habits. Telematics programs offered by nearly all major auto insurance companies use technology to monitor driving behaviors such as speeding, braking, and phone use. Not only do these programs provide real-time feedback to help drivers improve, they can also save you significant money.

According to the National Highway Safety Report, drivers who enroll in usage-based insurance (UBI) programs can receive an initial discount of 10 to 15 percent and save up to 50 percent at renewal if they drive safely consistently. Adoption of telematics programs is growing, with a 142 percent increase in users from 2020 to 2023, highlighting their effectiveness in reducing risky driving behaviors.

As telematics becomes more widespread, more drivers are taking advantage of the opportunity to save on their insurance premiums while at the same time being more alert behind the wheel. These programs are more than just a cost-saving measure; they’re a step toward making the roads safer for everyone.

Safety Tips for Teens

Teen drivers tend to have the highest car insurance rates, mainly due to their lack of experience and their increased likelihood of careless driving, speeding, and other risky behaviors. In fact, teen drivers ages 16-19 are nearly three times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than drivers over the age of 20.

Insurance companies take these factors into account when determining premiums, so adding a teenage child to your policy can significantly increase your premiums. The table below shows a breakdown of average annual premiums by age and gender for teenage drivers on their parents’ policies as of June 2024. These figures are quite surprising considering the average cost of full coverage auto insurance is $2,311.

Safety Tips for Parents

As a parent, watching your teen gain the freedom to drive can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. While you want them to enjoy the independence that comes with getting a license, you also want them to be able to make smart decisions behind the wheel, especially during high-risk periods like the 100 Most Dangerous Days of Summer. Your influence as a parent goes beyond just setting the rules; it’s about guiding your teen to be a responsible, safe driver. The National Foundation for Highway Safety offers some practical tips for parents to consider:

• Start the conversation early and often: Don’t wait until an accident occurs to talk to them about road safety. Have open, ongoing conversations about the dangers of distracted driving, peer pressure, and the importance of making smart choices. Highlight the risks they face at this critical time and emphasize how much you care about their safety.
• Let’s lead by example: Even if you think you’re not watching, your kids are always watching. Practice what you preach and show them what safe driving means. Always driving the speed limit, not using your cell phone, and wearing your seat belt every time you’re in the car send a stronger message than words.
• Consider a refresher course with us: Defensive driving techniques have changed since many of us first learned to drive. By taking a course together, you’ll not only keep your knowledge up to date, but you’ll also teach your child that learning to become a better driver never ends. It’s a chance to bond between you and your child and reinforce the importance of road safety in a practical and effective way.

Raising teenagers can be challenging, but being proactive about driving safety can make a big difference. By staying involved through guidance and example, you can not only protect your teen, but help them develop lifelong habits that could save a life, including your own.

Safety Tips for Seniors

As we age, the desire to live an independent life continues, especially when it comes to driving. For many older adults, driving a car means freedom, control, and connection to a community. But staying safe on the road requires an honest self-assessment and adapting to the physical and cognitive changes that naturally occur with aging. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers some great advice for older drivers:

• Periodic self-assessment: It’s important to recognize changes in your vision, reaction time, and physical abilities. If you notice issues like difficulty reading road signs, difficulty turning your head to check blind spots, or slower reaction times, it may be time to adjust your driving habits.
• Vision Care: Get regular eye exams to check for common age-related conditions like cataracts and glaucoma, especially after age 60. Keeping your prescription up to date and avoiding night driving if glare is a problem can make a big difference.
• Stay active: Maintaining strength, flexibility and coordination is key to driving safely, and simple exercises like stretching and walking can help improve your ability to steer, brake, see blind spots and more.
• Refresh your driving skills: Taking a senior driver course can help you stay up to date on new driving techniques, road signs, and traffic laws. These courses often provide helpful strategies for dealing with common challenges, like busy intersections and high traffic areas.
• Consider alternative transportation options: If driving starts to feel like a struggle, consider other options before you hang up the car keys altogether. Services like rideshares, senior shuttles and public transportation can help you get around and stay independent without the stress of driving.

By always being aware of your limitations and making informed decisions, you can continue to enjoy the freedom that driving brings, while prioritizing your safety and the safety of others on the road.

Conclusion

Whether you’re taking a summer road trip or just taking a quick trip to the grocery store during the holiday rush, staying focused is key to staying safe while driving. The roads are unpredictable and distractions are constant, so even the slightest lapse in attention can have lasting consequences. From young drivers just beginning their own independence to older adults determined to secure their own mobility, everyone shares the responsibility to drive carefully.

As we’ve seen, certain days and seasons are more dangerous than others, but the principles of safe driving remain the same all year round: be alert, be prepared, and above all, be focused. The road isn’t just a path to get you from point A to point B; it’s a shared space where your safety and the safety of others are in your hands. By cultivating mindful habits, staying informed, and making adjustments when necessary, you’ll not only protect yourself, but you’ll also contribute to creating a safer environment for everyone.

Remember, the drive isn’t just about getting to your destination, it’s about making sure everyone gets there safely.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze the latest rates for ZIP codes and insurers across the 50 states and Washington, DC, for June 2024. Rates include the most recent approved rate increases filed by insurers and are weighted based on each area’s population density so policyholders can see how rates will impact their area. Estimated rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a no-accident record, good credit, and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• Bodily injury liability of $300,000 per accident
• Property damage liability of $50,000 per accident
• $100,000 per person in bodily injury claims caused by uninsured motorists
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury compensation of $300,000 per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine the minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used the minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements: Our base profile driver owns a 2022 Toyota Camry, commutes to work five days a week, and drives 12,000 miles per year.

These are sample rates and should be used for comparison purposes only.

teens: Rates were determined by adding 16, 17, 18 and 19 year olds to the policy of married parents who are 40 years old. The rates shown reflect the total cost of adding drivers of this age to both parents’ policies.