When is the Safest Time to Drive?

  1. Research Center
    2. /
  2. Car Safety Research Articles
    3. /
  3. When is the Safest Time to Drive
The Safest Time to Drive
You may have heard that it is more dangerous to be out and about during a full moon because we are all affected by moon madness. Seriously, statistics show that more crimes are committed during the full moon. But that's not what we are here to talk about. This article is about the worst and best times to drive. When is the safest time to drive? Let's find out.

Statistically Speaking

According to the latest report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) car accidents were on the upswing during the COVID pandemic, mostly due to end of the world drunk driving, but traffic fatalities decreased in 2022 and 2023. Compared to the first quarter of 2022, the first quarter of 2023 saw a 3.3 percent decrease in fatal car accidents.
 
The NHTSA tells us that, looking at the big picture, the fatality rate due to automobile accidents has been trending downwards over the past 40 years even though a whole lot more people drive today than they did 40 years ago.
Top 5 Collision Causes
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that auto accidents are the leading killer of Americans between the ages of one and 54. The highest number of car crash fatalities are suffered by people aged 20 to 29 and 30 to 39. 
  • As you might guess, the number one reason for fatal auto crashes is drunk driving, which causes 10,850 fatalities a year on average.
  • The second leading cause of fatalities occurs when people don't use their seat belts. In fact, in fatal impact crashes, only 44 percent of drivers and 41 percent of passengers are found to be wearing their seat belts.
  • The third cause of car accidents is speeding, in fact, 29 percent of car crashes in 2021 involved speeding.

Other notable leading reasons for car accidents include distracted driving, as in, texting on smartphones or daydreaming. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 11 percent of accidents caused by distracted driving were due to cell phone use. Round out the top five reasons that car accidents happen is drowsy driving. The NHTSA reports that in 2021, 684 fatalities were the result of driving while drowsy. Most of these kinds of accidents occur between midnight and 6am.



When NOT to Drive

The most dangerous time to drive is between 8pm and midnight during the spring and summer. This is peak party time, and you are more likely to encounter people driving under the influence. The second most dangerous time to drive is between 4pm and 8pm in the fall and winter months. Driving at night is always more dangerous as lower visibility and tiredness can make you less alert.
 
The most dangerous day of the week to drive is Saturday, when we see the most accidents happening due to people diving into weekend partying. Saturdays see the highest number of alcohol and substance-abuse related accidents. The NHTSA tells us that the deadliest month to drive in 2021 was October, closely followed by August. More than 4,000 people lost their lives on the roads in each of those months.
The summer months are by far the most dangerous months to drive, as it is party season and teen drivers are out of school and on the roads. The NHTSA calls the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day, "the 100 deadliest days" to be driving and that the time between midnight and 4am is when we see the most accidents by impaired drivers.

What about the Safest Times?

Okay, we've told you about the seasons, months, days, and times that are the worst to be on the roads, but what about the safest times to drive? The NHTSA reports that Tuesday is the safest day to drive as there are the least number of auto accidents to report. For instance, while Saturdays average 6,826 crashes, Tuesdays average 4,455.
 
As far as the best times to drive, traffic picks up during "rush hour" when Americans are on their way to and from work. There are more cars on the roads on Monday through Friday at 7am to 10am and again at 3:30pm to 6:30pm. Earlier is always better if you are getting out on the highways. Give yourself plenty of time and head out in the morning early to avoid traffic. Statistically, Tuesday mornings between 3am and 6am are the times when the least number of cars are on the road, and thereby, the safest.
At Lithia Motors we want you to stay safe out there while driving because we want to keep you as a customer for life!