A record 39.1 million Americans are expected to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, according to the latest AAA estimate.But the National Safety Council warns 393 people could lose their lives on U.S. roads during the holiday period, an 11% decrease from last year’s estimate. Even with the decline, the NSC says Memorial Day remains one of the deadliest holidays for road travel. The NSC releases annual Memorial Day traffic fatality projections using data from the National Highway Traffic Administration Analysis Reporting System. Traffic deaths include fatalities involving all types of road users, including pedestrians, vehicle occupants, cyclists and others.Memorial Day was the second-deadliest holiday for road travel in 2024, averaging 139 deaths, the latest data from the NHTSA shows. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May and is always a 3.25-day weekend. Labor Day ranked highest at 149 deaths per day. Compared to nonholiday weekends, Memorial Day weekend typically sees more traffic fatalities. In 2024, 451 individuals died on U.S. roads during the holiday weekend.More intoxicated drivers are on the road during Memorial Day weekendThere are several reasons Memorial Day remains dangerous for drivers. More vehicles are on the road, seat belt use drops and alcohol consumption increases, according to Ken Kolosh, a statistics manager at the NSC. About 38% of traffic fatalities during Memorial Day weekend in 2024 involved at least one alcohol-impaired driver. That was 8% higher than the national average of 30% that year. How to stay safe To stay safe this weekend, Kolosh recommends: Buckling up — wearing a seat belt could save about 96 lives.Avoid speeding and drive defensively.Stay focused on the road and avoid distractions like phones or multitasking.Plan ahead and make sure your car is ready for the holiday travel.PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=
A record 39.1 million Americans are expected to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, according to the latest AAA estimate.
But the National Safety Council warns 393 people could lose their lives on U.S. roads during the holiday period, an 11% decrease from last year’s estimate. Even with the decline, the NSC says Memorial Day remains one of the deadliest holidays for road travel.
The NSC releases annual Memorial Day traffic fatality projections using data from the National Highway Traffic Administration Analysis Reporting System. Traffic deaths include fatalities involving all types of road users, including pedestrians, vehicle occupants, cyclists and others.
Memorial Day was the second-deadliest holiday for road travel in 2024, averaging 139 deaths, the latest data from the NHTSA shows. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May and is always a 3.25-day weekend. Labor Day ranked highest at 149 deaths per day.
Compared to nonholiday weekends, Memorial Day weekend typically sees more traffic fatalities. In 2024, 451 individuals died on U.S. roads during the holiday weekend.
More intoxicated drivers are on the road during Memorial Day weekend
There are several reasons Memorial Day remains dangerous for drivers. More vehicles are on the road, seat belt use drops and alcohol consumption increases, according to Ken Kolosh, a statistics manager at the NSC.
About 38% of traffic fatalities during Memorial Day weekend in 2024 involved at least one alcohol-impaired driver. That was 8% higher than the national average of 30% that year.
How to stay safe
To stay safe this weekend, Kolosh recommends:
- Buckling up — wearing a seat belt could save about 96 lives.
- Avoid speeding and drive defensively.
- Stay focused on the road and avoid distractions like phones or multitasking.
- Plan ahead and make sure your car is ready for the holiday travel.
