When was the last time you thought about the calendar before getting behind the wheel? For most drivers, the decision to drive on any given day comes down to necessity rather than risk assessment. But if traffic fatality data shows that some days may be riskier than others.

Traffic Fatality Patterns

According to a National Safety Council analysis of government data, released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in April 2026, 39,254 people died in traffic crashes across the U.S. in 2024. That’s an average of more than 107 traffic fatalities per day. But those crash deaths weren’t spread evenly across the calendar. Certain days had dramatically higher fatality counts than others, and reveal patterns.

The 25 deadliest days were overwhelmingly weekend days: There were 23 Saturdays and Sundays in total, plus two Fridays. The majority were concentrated in the summer and fall months. Holiday weekends, such as those surrounding Memorial Day and Labor Day, appear repeatedly near the top.

Staying Safe on the Road

Most people can’t simply avoid driving on all weekends and holidays. Life just doesn’t work that way. What you can do is approach trips on the most dangerous driving days with more awareness and more preparation than you might otherwise bring to a routine drive.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe: Leave earlier than you think you need to, check your route before you go, make sure your vehicle is road-ready, avoid driving late at night, stay off the road during peak holiday travel hours, watch out for impaired drivers, and focus on what’s in your control.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.