Current Table

Holiday Driving, 2017-2021 (1)

 

  Holiday period (1)
  New Year’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Year Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
2017 330 37% 345 37% 529 38% 345 37% 470 36% 299 38%
2018 325 39 430 38 175 41 433 36 433 31 425 35
2019 428 36 453 37 498 39 438 39 413 29 136 37
2020 145 52 396 41 480 41 510 38 504 36 323 39
2021 395 40 453 40 517 39 506 41 514 36 376 36

(1) The length of the holiday period depends on the day of the week on which the holiday falls. Memorial Day and Labor Day are always 3.25 days; Thanksgiving is always 4.25 days; and New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Christmas are 3.25 days
if the holiday falls on Friday through Monday, 4.25 days if on Tuesday or Thursday, and 1.25 days if on Wednesday. See https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/holiday-introduction/ for more information.
(2) The highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) among drivers or motorcycle riders involved in the crash was 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher (the legal definition of drunk driving in most states).

Source: National Safety Council based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

 
HOLIDAY DRIVING, 2008-2012
  Holiday period (1)
  New Year’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Year Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3)
2008 407 (4) 41% 414 (3) 41% 472 (3) 44% 473 (3) 40% 484 (4) 35% 409 (4) 32%
2009 458 (4) 40 462 (3) 42 398 (3) 39 351 (3) 38 401 (4) 34 248 (3) 36
2010 286 (3) 48 389 (3) 40 365 (3) 38 390 (3) 35 417 (4) 40 249 (3) 35
2011 304 (3) 43 389 (3) 40 405 (3) 38 373 (3) 36 375 (4) 33 256 (3) 35
2012 348 (3) NA 367 (3) NA 157 (1) NA 378 (3) NA 405 (4) NA 351 (4) NA

(1) The length of the holiday period depends on the day of the week on which the holiday falls. Memorial Day and Labor Day are always 3.25 days; Thanksgiving is always 4.25 days; and New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Christmas are 3.25 days if the holiday falls on Friday through Monday, 4.25 days if on Tuesday or Thursday, and 1.25 days if on Wednesday.
(2) Number in parentheses refers to the number of whole days in the holiday period.
(3) The highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) among drivers or motorcycle riders involved in the crash was 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher (the legal definition of drunk driving).

NA=Data not available.

Source: National Safety Council based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

 
HOLIDAY DRIVING, 2009-2013

 

  Holiday period (1)
  New Year’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Year Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3)
2009 458 (4) 40% 462 (3) 42% 398 (3) 39% 351 (3) 38% 401 (4) 34% 248 (3) 36%
2010 286 (3) 48 389 (3) 40 365 (3) 38 390 (3) 35 417 (4) 40 249 (3) 35
2011 304 (3) 43 389 (3) 40 405 (3) 37 373 (3) 37 375 (4) 32 256 (3) 36
2012 348 (3) 39 367 (3) 44 157 (1) 44 378 (3) 38 405 (4) 42 351 (4) 37
2013 343 (4) NA 334 (3) NA 461 (4) NA 371 (3) NA 360 (4) NA 88 (1) NA

(1) The length of the holiday period depends on the day of the week on which the holiday falls. Memorial Day and Labor Day are always 3.25 days; Thanksgiving is always 4.25 days; and New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Christmas are 3.25 days if the holiday falls on Friday through Monday, 4.25 days if on Tuesday or Thursday, and 1.25 days if on Wednesday.
(2) Number in parentheses refers to the number of whole days in the holiday period.
(3) The highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) among drivers or motorcycle riders involved in the crash was 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher (the legal definition of drunk driving).

NA=Data not available.

Source: National Safety Council based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

 
Holiday Driving, 2010-2014

 

  Holiday period (1)
  New Year’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Year Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3) Deaths (2) Percent alcohol- impaired (3)
2010 286 (3) 48% 389 (3) 40% 365 (3) 38% 390 (3) 35% 417 (4) 40% 249 (3) 35%
2011 304 (3) 43 389 (3) 40 405 (3) 37 373 (3) 37 375 (4) 32 256 (3) 36
2012 348 (3) 39 367 (3) 44 157 (1) 45 378 (3) 38 405 (4) 41 351 (4) 35
2013 343 (4) 44 334 (3) 38 461 (4) 39 371 (3) 38 360 (4) 33 88 (1) 37
2014 126 (1) NA 337 (3) NA 347 (3) NA 362 (3) NA 403 (4) NA 355 (4) NA

(1) The length of the holiday period depends on the day of the week on which the holiday falls. Memorial Day and Labor Day are always 3.25 days; Thanksgiving is always 4.25 days; and New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Christmas are 3.25 days if the holiday falls on Friday through Monday, 4.25 days if on Tuesday or Thursday, and 1.25 days if on Wednesday.
(2) Number in parentheses refers to the number of whole days in the holiday period.
(3) The highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) among drivers or motorcycle riders involved in the crash was 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher (the legal definition of drunk driving).

NA=Data not available.

Source: National Safety Council based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

 
Holiday Driving, 2011-2015
  Holiday period (1)
  New Year’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Year Deaths (2) Percent alcohol-
impaired (3)
Deaths (2) Percent alcohol-
impaired (3)
Deaths (2) Percent alcohol-
impaired (3)
Deaths (2) Percent alcohol-
impaired (3)
Deaths (2) Percent alcohol-
impaired (3)
Deaths (2) Percent alcohol-
impaired (3)
2011 304 (3) 43% 389 (3) 40% 405 (3) 37% 373 (3) 37% 375 (4) 32% 256 (3) 36%
2012 348 (3) 39 367 (3) 44 157 (1) 45 378 (3) 38 405 (4) 41 351 (4) 35
2013 343 (4) 44 334 (3) 38 461 (4) 39 371 (3) 39 360 (4) 34 88 (1) 37
2014 126 (1) 53 227 (3) 36 347 (3) 41 362 (3) 40 403 (4) 35 355 (4) 34
2015 355 (4) NA 367 (3) NA 366 (3) NA 394 (3) NA 386 (4) NA 273 (3) NA

(1) The length of the holiday period depends on the day of the week on which the holiday falls. Memorial Day and Labor Day are always 3.25 days; Thanksgiving is always 4.25 days; and New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Christmas are 3.25 days if the holiday falls on Friday through Monday, 4.25 days if on Tuesday or Thursday, and 1.25 days if on Wednesday.
(2) Number in parentheses refers to the number of whole days in the holiday period.
(3) The highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) among drivers or motorcycle riders involved in the crash was 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher (the legal definition of drunk driving).

NA=Data not available.

Source: National Safety Council based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

 
Holiday Driving, 2013-2017 (1)

 

  Holiday period (1)
  New Year’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Year Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
2013 343 44% 334 38% 461 39% 371 39% 360 34% 88 38%
2014 126 51 337 37 347 41 362 42 403 34 355 34
2015 354 36 367 40 366 36 394 35 392 36 280 37
2016 279 36 389 36 397 41 379 36 439 34 318 32
2017 329 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 463 NA 299 NA

(1) The length of the holiday period depends on the day of the week on which the holiday falls. Memorial Day and Labor Day are always 3.25 days; Thanksgiving is always 4.25 days; and New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Christmas are 3.25 days if the holiday falls on Friday through Monday, 4.25 days if on Tuesday or Thursday, and 1.25 days if on Wednesday. See https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/holiday-introduction/ for more information.
(2) The highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) among drivers or motorcycle riders involved in the crash was 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher (the legal definition of drunk driving).

NA=Data not available.

Source: National Safety Council based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

 
Holiday Driving, 2014-2018 (1)

 

  Holiday period (1)
  New Year’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Year Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
2014 126 51% 337 37% 347 41% 362 42% 403 34% 355 34%
2015 354 36 370 39 366 35 397 34 392 35 280 36
2016 279 37 392 37 397 42 384 37 439 36 318 35
2017 330 31 345 38 529 39 345 37 470 37 299 38
2018 304 39 389 37 152 40 375 38 385 31 380 37

(1) The length of the holiday period depends on the day of the week on which the holiday falls. Memorial Day and Labor Day are always 3.25 days; Thanksgiving is always 4.25 days; and New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Christmas are 3.25 days if the holiday falls on Friday through Monday, 4.25 days if on Tuesday or Thursday, and 1.25 days if on Wednesday. See https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/holiday-introduction/ for more information.
(2) The highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) among drivers or motorcycle riders involved in the crash was 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher (the legal definition of drunk driving in most states).

Source: National Safety Council based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

 
Holiday Driving, 2015-2019 (1)

 

  Holiday period (1)
  New Year’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Year Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
2015 354 36% 370 39% 366 35% 397 34% 392 35% 280 36%
2016 279 37 392 37 397 42 384 37 439 36 318 35
2017 330 37 345 37 529 38 345 37 470 36 299 38
2018 325 39 430 38 175 41 433 37 433 31 425 35
2019 428 36 453 37 498 38 433 38 406 29 129 38

(1) The length of the holiday period depends on the day of the week on which the holiday falls. Memorial Day and Labor Day are always 3.25 days; Thanksgiving is always 4.25 days; and New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Christmas are 3.25 days if the holiday falls on Friday through Monday, 4.25 days if on Tuesday or Thursday, and 1.25 days if on Wednesday. See https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/holiday-introduction/.
(2) The highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) among drivers or motorcycle riders involved in the crash was 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher (the legal definition of drunk driving in most states).

Source: National Safety Council based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

 
Holiday Driving, 2016-2020 (1)
  Holiday period (1)
  New Year’s Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Year Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
Deaths Percent
alcohol-
impaired (2)
2016 279 37% 392 37% 397 42% 384 37% 439 36% 318 35%
2017 330 37 345 37 529 38 345 37 470 36 299 38
2018 325 39 430 38 175 41 433 36 433 31 425 35
2019 428 36 453 37 499 39 438 39 406 29 136 37
2020 138 49 397 41 479 41 506 38 496 36 312 39

(1) The length of the holiday period depends on the day of the week on which the holiday falls. Memorial Day and Labor Day are always 3.25 days; Thanksgiving is always 4.25 days; and New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Christmas are 3.25 days if the holiday falls on Friday through Monday, 4.25 days if on Tuesday or Thursday, and 1.25 days if on Wednesday. See https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/holiday-introduction/.
(2) The highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) among drivers or motorcycle riders involved in the crash was 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher (the legal definition of drunk driving in most states).

NA=Data not available.

Source: National Safety Council based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.