Drinking and Driving Statistics from the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that approximately 456 people will die in motor vehicle accidents this Labor Day holiday period. The Labor Day holiday period lasts from Friday, September 2 at 6:00 pm until Monday, September 5 at 11:59 pm.
A large portion of these accidents is the result of impaired driving. Typically, impaired driving accounts for nearly 30% of the traffic fatalities during the year; during the Labor Day holiday period, alcohol-impaired driving deaths increase to around 38%.
This year it is projected that the total number of traffic deaths during the Labor Day holiday period will be between 375 and 545. However, in 2020, the NSC “underestimated the actual number of Labor Day deaths” by 23%.
Previous Labor Day Holiday Traffic Fatalities
In 2019, the National Safety Council estimated that there would be 398 deaths, with a confidence interval of 348 – 452. The actual number of motor vehicle deaths during the Labor Day holiday period was 438 in 2019. In 2020, the NSC estimated that there would be 390 deaths, with a confidence interval of 327 – 462. The actual deaths for the year were 506. While actual death numbers are not in for 2021, the NSC estimated that there would be 466 deaths with a confidence interval of 386 – 552.
Previous Labor Day Alcohol-Impaired Fatalities
In 2017, the annual average of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities was 29%; during the Labor Day Holiday period, it was 37%. The following year the annual average was again 29%, while during the holiday period, it fell to 36%. In 2019, the annual average was 28%, and the Labor Day average was significantly higher at 39%. In 2020, the most recent year that data is available, the annual average was 30%, while during Labor Day, it was 38%.
