Number of Memorial Day Crashes Highest Since 2008

The Memorial Day weekend holiday can be deadly for drivers, and it kicks off what has become known as the '100 Deadly Days' — with Memorial Day through Labor Day resulting in an uptick in roadway deaths, particularly among teens. Despite the holiday weekend, many commercial fleet drivers will be on the road for work. 

Fatal Crashes Reach 16-Year High

The number of crashes around the Memorial Day holiday is the highest it's been over a two-year period since at least 2008. 

The holiday period, which runs from 6 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Tuesday, saw an average of 436 fatal crashes in 2021 and 2022, the two most recent years for which full fatality data is available, according to National Highway Transportation Safety Administration data analyzed by car insurance data app Jerry.

That figure is significantly higher than the average of 390 a year over the past decade.

Here are more insights from Jerry's data analysis:

• The number of fatal traffic crashes during the holiday period in 2022 hit 453, an 8.6% jump from pre-COVID 2019 and 8.1% higher than in 2021.
• The number of people killed in fatal traffic crashes during the holiday period in 2022 totaled 502, also the most since at least 2008.
• Three-fourths of all traffic fatalities during the Memorial Day holiday are men, and 38% are men under the age of 40. 

What's the Deadliest Day to Drive?

The data revealed that Saturday proved the deadliest day on the roads during Memorial Day weekend, followed by Sunday.

The single deadliest hour is 11 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, followed by midnight Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday, and 9-10 p.m. on Sunday. The safest times to drive include Saturday morning after 6 a.m. and Sunday and Monday mornings after 8 a.m.

What Is the Cause of Most Crashes?

Nearly one third of all Memorial Day holiday crashes involve speeding, while another 30% involve at least one driver with a positive blood-alcohol test.

Moreover, nearly three-fourths of fatal crashes that involve speeding involve at least one driver who had been drinking.

Where Do Most of the Crashes Occur?

It may come as a surprise that only 12% of fatal holiday crashes occur on an interstate highway, while 43% occur in rural areas and 49% involve a vehicle leaving the roadway.

Among U.S. cities, Houston and Dallas recorded the most fatal crashes during the Memorial Day holiday period. Texas reported the most fatal crashes, with 218 fatal crashes during the holiday period between 2018-2022. 

The three most populus states — Texas, California, and Florida — all see twice as many fatal crashes as any other state.

On a per capita basis, Delaware reported the most fatal crashes of any state, as well as the most involving speeding and the most involving drugs. Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska topped the list of states with the most per capita fatal crashes involving drinking.

NHTSA announced a heightened law enforcement presence will be on U.S. roadways through June 2 as part of the Click It or Ticket campaign. The annual seat belt safety campaign runs concurrent with the Memorial Day holiday.

Here are some safety tips from NHTSA to share with your drivers to keep them safe:

• If you are planning to drink, plan ahead for a sober ride home. 
• If you are using any impairing drugs, including marijuana, don’t drive, arrange for a safe ride home. Impaired driving is illegal, regardless of the source of impairment.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, safely pull over and call 911.