by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:50 PM ET, Thu August 24, 2023
If a Labor Day weekend roadtrip is on your agenda, the car insurance savings app Jerry has some sobering news: Labor Day weekend is the most dangerous summer driving holiday and the second deadliest holiday of the year behind Thanksgiving.
The number of people killed in traffic accidents over the Labor Day weekend holiday increased 38 percent between 2012 through 2021, according to a new report from the car insurance app. On average of 447 lives lost every year over the popular end-of-summer travel extravaganza.
The report also reveals which cities and states are the most treacherous for drivers. When it comes to states, California, Texas, and Florida experience about twice as many fatal crashes as any other U.S. state. Additional states in the top 10 include:
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Ohio
- Tennessee
As for cities, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Philadelphia top the list of deadliest for drivers over Labor Day weekend. In addition to Dallas, two other cities in Texas—San Antonio and Houston—also made the list.
The full list of 10 cities experiencing the most fatalities over Labor Day ranks as follows:
- Los Angeles
- Dallas
- Philadelphia
- San Antonio
- Chicago
- Charlotte
- Houston
- Louisville
- Phoenix
- Flushing
American flag flying above beautiful sunset over the Mississippi River. (photo via Chris Lauer / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Tips for Labor Day weekend drivers
Want to avoid some of the most treacherous times on the road over the upcoming holiday?
Perhaps
reconsider the time of day or the days you choose to travel. The most
fatalities over Labor Day weekend occur on Saturday, according to the
Jerry study. But Friday evening after 6 p.m. sees the most fatalities
per hour as millions of people hit the road and others begin celebrating
the long weekend.
Practicing safe driving habits is also
essential. Speeding was involved in 31 percent of all fatal crashes. And
both alcohol and speeding were involved in 14 percent of all fatal
crashes.
Driving in rural areas? Keep this in mind: Nearly half of all fatal crashes (49 percent) take place in rural areas.
Among rural crashes, 69 percent involve a vehicle leaving the roadway,
versus 41 percent in non-rural areas.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here.
Topics From This Article to Explore
