SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Fourth of July holiday period is one of the most deadly times on the road.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that 2,228 people were killed in vehicle crashes from over the Fourth of July holiday period from 2018 to 2022.
The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 599 people will die in vehicle crashes over the Fourth of July holiday period this year. The holiday period is from 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 3 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 7.
A couple of factors that can contribute to that 599 estimate are the long holiday period and the reports of record-breaking traffic for this holiday. AAA projects a record 60.6 million people will travel by car which is more than 2.8 million travelers compared to 2023. According to AAA, 183,000 South Dakotans will be on the road.
From 2004 through 2022, the state has had more than 100 Fourth of July holiday period crashes except in the years with the fewest hours in the holiday period. There were 30 holiday hour periods in 2007, 2012 and 2018 had the fewest crashes with 40, 45 and 57 in year order. The numbers are from annual motor vehicle crash summaries from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. The most recent report is from 2022.
Although 2018 was only a 30-hour period, there was one fatal crash with five fatalities. That is one less than in 2019 which had a 78-hour holiday period.
The 78-hour period of 2005 had three fatal crashes with six fatalities.
Nationally, crashes with impaired drivers increase over the Independence Day holiday, according to the NCS.
In 2022, 40% of all fatal crashes involved an impaired driver, the NCS said.
Generally, young adults account for the most drunk drivers in fatal crashes over the holiday.
From 2018 to 2022, the 21-34 age group had the highest percent (50%) of drunk drivers in fatal crashes, according to NHTSA.
The Memorial Day holiday weekend is also a dangerous time on the road but the fatalities and overall crash data generally rank below the Fourth of July holiday period.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol said there were two reported fatalities, 77 reported injuries and 254 reported crashes during the 2023 Memorial Day holiday weekend.
In the 78-hour Fourth of July holiday period in 2004 there were 114 crashes. Four of those were fatal crashes with five fatalities and 27 were injury crashes with 45 injuries.
There were 123 crashes over the 78-hour July 4 holiday period in 2014 with 37 injuries in 32 injury crashes. There were three fatal crashes with three fatalities.
The Memorial Day weekend is a 78-hour period with a peak in crashes from 2013 to 2022 at 177 in 2021. From 2004 to 2013, the peak was 142 in 2005.
There were six fatalities in two crashes in 2016 and six fatalities in four crashes in 2014 over Memorial Day weekend. Those were the highest number of fatalities from 2004 through 2022.
