JULY 22, 2024
Will 4th of July be too dangerous to travel?
People traveling for the 4th of July need to be aware of the dangers associated with holiday traveling. Most of all is the danger of high traffic congestion combined with people hurrying to get to their destination. Other dangers this 4th of July are:
- The 4th of July, known as our national Independence Day, is known as the worst day to drive because of drunk drivers.
- Between 2022 and 2023 the National Safety Council (NSC) reported that the number of deaths increased substantially from 469 people in 2022 to 619 deaths in 2023.
- Remember that it is not just the 4th of July but can be up to several days. This year, with the 4th of July falling on a Thursday it is highly likely that the number of fatalities will increase because people may take a vacation starting the Friday before the week of the 4th and continue with the holiday until Sunday, July 7th.
- Longer days for holidays typically turn into a more deadly week because Independence Day is known for higher levels of drunk and impaired driving.
Bull Attorneys urges safe driving during this 4th of July to help prevent injures or death to you and your family. There are several ways to travel more safely over the 4th of July this year. Tips to make a safer 4th of July are:
- Avoid speeding for any reason because it is so deadly.
- Keep your following distance behind other drivers and keep one car length for every 10 miles per hour of your speed so at 60 mph you should leave enough space for 6 cars in front of you and the next vehicle ahead of you.
- Take periodic rest stops.
- Don't driver after dark.
- Don't drive more than 8-10 hours a day to avoid fatigue.
- Support the NHTSA's Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
How Many Deaths are Predicted Over this July 24th, 2024?
Because the 4th of July is on Thursday, it is predicted to bring an unusually high holiday for car wrecks. Given that 619 peopled died over the holiday in 2023 our early projections are that the total number of fatalities will be between 650 and 700 people. AAA expects 43.2 million people will drive to their final destination.
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What is the Most Dangerous Day to Drive?
According to the NHTSA, the most dangerous day of the week to drive is on Saturday. Since July 4th falls on a Thursday this year, Saturday will be an unusually bad day for driving. Other factors increase dangerous driving like:
- The NHTSA informs us that driving between midnight and 6 am increases the chance of crashes and fatalities.
- Rural roads and highways, especially two lane highways provide a great risk of death that federal interstate highways.
- Drowsy driving increases the risk of a crash and fatality.
How Many Accidents can Kansans Expect Over This 4th of July?
For the five years over 2017-2021 the Kansas Highway Patrol recorded 402 total crashes up to 594 crashes in 2021. Kansas had 7 deaths and 172 injuries over the 4th of July holiday period ending in 2021. Bull Attorneys predicts that this extended 4th of July holiday period will be worse with over 500 crashes and at least 10 deaths.
Ways to avoid crashes over this Independence Day are:
- Don't drink and Drive.
- Stay hydrated drinking lots of water.
- Avoid driving completely on the 4th.
- Be extremely attentive while driving and only drive during daylight hours.
- Don't drive over a certain number of miles and hours without trading places with another adult driver in your vehicle to avoid fatigue.