Peak Accident Hours
Time of Day: In 2022, the distribution of motor vehicle crash deaths by time of day was as follows:
- Midnight to 3 a.m.: 5,261 deaths (12%)
- 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 3,627 deaths (9%)
- 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.: 4,059 deaths (10%)
- 9 a.m. to noon: 3,808 deaths (9%)
- Noon to 3 p.m.: 5,089 deaths (12%)
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: 6,337 deaths (15%)
- 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.: 7,329 deaths (17%)
- 9 p.m. to midnight: 6,678 deaths (16%)
Notably, the evening hours between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. experienced the highest percentage of crash fatalities.
Day of the Week: Crash fatalities varied throughout the week in 2022:
- Sunday: 6,618 deaths (16%)
- Monday: 5,372 deaths (13%)
- Tuesday: 5,265 deaths (12%)
- Wednesday: 5,469 deaths (13%)
- Thursday: 5,636 deaths (13%)
- Friday: 6,472 deaths (15%)
- Saturday: 7,682 deaths (18%)
Weekends, particularly Saturdays, saw a higher incidence of fatal crashes.
Seasonal Trends
- Monthly Variations: In 2022, motor vehicle crash deaths by month were:
- January: 3,199 deaths (8%)
- February: 2,987 deaths (7%)
- March: 3,329 deaths (8%)
- April: 3,186 deaths (7%)
- May: 3,656 deaths (9%)
- June: 3,608 deaths (8%)
- July: 3,856 deaths (9%)
- August: 3,846 deaths (9%)
- September: 3,886 deaths (9%)
- October: 3,973 deaths (9%)
- November: 3,503 deaths (8%)
- December: 3,485 deaths (8%)
- October recorded the highest number of crash fatalities, while February had the fewest.
- Holiday Periods: Certain holidays are associated with increased crash fatalities. For instance, Independence Day (July 4) is typically one of the days with the most motor vehicle crash deaths.
Regional Insights
- Texas: Between 2017 and 2022, the most hazardous driving hour in Texas was from 9 p.m. to 9:59 p.m., accounting for 6.55% of fatal collisions. The safest time was from 9 a.m. to 9:59 a.m., with 2.34% of fatal crashes.