A new analysis from Bader Law uses federal crash records to identify the specific days in 2023 when Americans faced the highest risk on the road. The findings show that fatal crashes did not occur evenly throughout the year. Instead, certain dates produced sharp spikes in deaths, influenced by seasonal travel patterns, weather conditions, holiday behavior, and the number of miles Americans traveled.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 40,901 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2023. That averages to 110 deaths per day, but the daily totals varied widely. The study from Bader Law highlights the ten deadliest days of the year and explains the conditions that made them so dangerous.

The Ten Deadliest Days of 2023

(Source: Bader Law analysis of NHTSA data)

Key pattern: Every day in the top ten occurred on a Saturday.

Why October 21 Became the Deadliest Day

Bader Law identifies three major factors behind the unusually high fatality count on October 21.

1. It was a Saturday

Saturdays consistently produce the highest number of fatal crashes due to:

• Increased social activity
• Long distance travel
• Late night driving
• Higher rates of speeding
• Higher rates of alcohol impairment

2. Seasonal transition

Late October brings:

• Reduced daylight
• Early winter weather
• Fog, mist, and wet roads
• Lower visibility for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians

3. Early Halloween activity

The weeks leading up to Halloween show:

• More nighttime travel
• More impaired driving
• More pedestrian activity

Summer’s Role in Road Fatalities

The second and third deadliest days, August 26 and July 29, also fell on Saturdays. Both occurred during the height of summer, which is the most dangerous season for driving.

Why summer is so deadly

• Vacation travel peaks
• More inexperienced teen drivers on the road
• More late night celebrations
• Higher alcohol involvement
• Higher congestion
• Longer daylight hours that encourage longer trips

Miles traveled by month (in billions)

(Source: Bader Law using federal travel volume data)

Key insight:

• August and July are the busiest months on the road.
• October has the highest fatality rate per 100 million miles traveled.
• March has the lowest fatality rate per mile despite a major spike in travel.

Spring Break’s Hidden Risk

March shows a sharp increase in miles traveled compared to February. Bader Law highlights research from the University of Miami that explains why.

Spring break impact

• Average 9.1 percent increase in traffic fatalities in 14 destination counties
• About 16 additional deaths per year in those counties
• Fatal crashes rise 9 percent in popular destinations such as Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale

States with the largest spring break fatality increases

• Texas
• Nevada
• South Carolina
• Arizona
• Virginia
• California
• Florida

Winter Holidays Also Produce Dangerous Days

Even months with low travel volumes contain unusually dangerous dates.

Martin Luther King Jr. weekend

• One of the most hazardous winter travel periods
• High number of long distance trips
• Frequent winter weather crashes
• Elevated impairment related fatalities

Presidents Day weekend

• Heavy mountain corridor traffic
• Many drivers unprepared for winter conditions
• High number of road closures and delays

Example: In February 2024, the I 70 mountain corridor in Colorado saw:

• 46 passenger vehicle crashes
• 15 hours of highway closures
• Up to 2 million dollars in economic impact per hour of closure

Alcohol’s Role in the Deadliest Days

Alcohol impairment remains a major factor in fatal crashes.

2023 alcohol related deaths

• 12,429 deaths
• Nearly one third of all traffic fatalities

Highest risk demographic

• Men aged 21 to 34
• Represent the largest share of impaired drivers in fatal crashes

Older Drivers Face Growing Risk

Bader Law’s analysis highlights a decade long rise in fatalities involving older adults.

2023 deaths involving adults 65 and older

• 9,587 deaths
• Up from 9,545 in 2022

Ten year trend

• Fatalities involving older adults increased 40 percent
• Older adult population increased 28 percent
• Death rate per 100,000 people increased 9.3 percent

Share of 2023 traffic deaths involving older drivers

• Nearly 65 percent involved an older driver or their passenger
• 4,829 older driver deaths
• 725 passenger deaths

CDC breakdown of older adult fatalities

• 6,408 vehicle occupants
• 652 motorcyclists
• 1,848 pedestrians
• 211 bicyclists
• 464 non traffic deaths

Why older drivers face higher risk

• Slower reaction times
• Reduced visibility
• Difficulty managing winter conditions
• Higher physical frailty
• Greater likelihood of dying from crash injuries

What the Data Shows About America’s Deadliest Driving Days

The study from Bader Law makes several patterns clear.

1. Saturdays dominate the fatality rankings

Every top ten day occurred on a Saturday.

2. Seasonal transitions increase risk

Late October and early winter conditions create visibility hazards.

3. Summer travel drives high fatality counts

July and August combine heavy travel with more impaired driving.

4. Spring break produces regional spikes

Counties in seven states see significant increases in fatal crashes.

5. Winter holidays remain dangerous

MLK weekend and Presidents Day weekend produce high crash totals.

6. Alcohol and age are major risk factors

Impaired driving and older adult vulnerability shape fatality patterns.