Memorial Day is coming up and that means people will be gathering for holiday get-togethers all over the country. Many will choose to travel by car, which has the highest fatality rate of any major form of motorized transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. When you factor in increased drinking at holiday parties with more people on the roads, there is a dramatic increase in the risk of car accidents and traffic fatalities. This Memorial Day period*, the National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 418 people may die on U.S. roads, which is a 11% decrease over last year’s estimate. In addition, they estimate that 47,700 people will seek medical care for injuries they sustain in crashes over the holiday weekend.
*Memorial Day is always observed on the last Monday in May but the holiday period is a 3.25-day weekend that begins Friday evening and runs through Monday. In 2024, the Memorial Day weekend extends from 6 p.m. Friday, May 24 to 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 27.
If you or a loved one is injured in a Memorial Day accident due to another driver’s reckless or negligent actions, you may be entitled to a car accident settlement covering medical bills, property damage, disability, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In the event of a fatality, funeral costs, loss of services, and other damages may also be recoverable. Contact a local car accident lawyer to evaluate your case and discuss your legal rights.
How Does the NSC Calculate the Risks of Traveling by Car Over the Memorial Day Holiday?
In order to get the most accurate estimate possible, NSC compares the holiday to other periods of similar length during the weeks immediately before and after the Memorial Day weekend. Fatality data from FARS for 1995 to 2021 for comparable weekends shows an increase in traffic deaths on Memorial Day with the average number of traffic deaths during Memorial Day over the last six years 6.3 percent higher than the average number of traffic deaths during the comparison periods.
How does NSC reach its traffic fatalities estimate?
While an estimated number is never going to be 100 percent accurate, there is a 90 percent confidence interval for the estimate of traffic deaths and medically consulted injuries this holiday weekend:
- Estimated deaths are 418, which falls within an estimated range of 340 to 504.
- Estimated medically consulted injuries are 47,700, which falls within an estimated range of 38,700 to 57,500.
Analysts recognize that the confidence interval cannot factor in changes to behavior that began during the pandemic. Unfortunately, reckless driving behaviors such as drunk driving and speeding have increased since 2000.
Factors that Increase Traffic Deaths on Memorial Day Weekend
Impaired Driving
The biggest factor that contributes to increased traffic fatalities on Memorial Day weekend is a higher incidence of impaired driving.
In 2022, alcohol-impaired fatalities (involving blood-alcohol content of 0.08 g/dL or higher) represented 32 percent of the total traffic fatalities. During the 2022 Memorial Day period, 43 percent of fatalities involved a drunk driver – an 11 percent increase over the percentage of accidents outside the holiday weekend.
Seat Belts
Seat belts make a big difference in Memorial Day accident fatalities.
Based on the projected number of vehicle occupants who will wear seat belts, the NSC estimates that 150 lives will be saved this Memorial Day holiday period. On top of this, if everyone wore a seat belt another 105 lives could be saved.
What are Memorial Day Traffic Fatalities Compared to Other Holidays?
The NSC also compares the Memorial Day holiday to other holiday periods by using an average fatality per day rate. Overall, the Memorial Day holiday and the summer holidays (Independence Day and Labor Day) have higher average fatality rates per day compared to the fall and winter holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day).
Seek the Help of a Car Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
