By Insure.com

The holidays are a deadly time to be on the road. Every year, hundreds of Americans die as a result of alcohol-related car crashes. The Fourth of July has repeatedly ranked as the deadliest holiday of the year for such crashes -- even deadlier than New Year's Day.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious risk. In addition to being irresponsible on the road, impaired drivers also face insurance consequences. If your insurer discovers you've been convicted of a DUI, your car insurance rates could increase or your policy may be canceled or not renewed.

 

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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 (the latest statistics available), 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.

When people think of a deadly holiday, they generally associate it with New Year's Day (or, rather, very late on New Year's Eve). However, that association may be precisely why people stay off the roads on New Year's more than they do on July Fourth. (While the New Year's statistics are totaled over four days, the Fourth of July statistics are for three days.)

 

"Drunk driving is a major public safety threat that still claims thousands of lives every year," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in a recent media release. "Many states continue to step up their efforts to get drunk drivers off our roads, but the numbers tell us we have to do more."

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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.

The deadliest holidays

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: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008

Published July 1, 2010