Report Names Most Dangerous Cities for Labor Day Weekend Road Trippers

If a Labor Day weekend roadtrip is on your agenda, the car insurance savings app Jerry has some sobering news: Labor Day weekend is the most dangerous summer driving holiday and the second deadliest holiday of the year behind Thanksgiving.

The number of people killed in traffic accidents over the Labor Day weekend holiday increased 38 percent between 2012 through 2021, according to a new report from the car insurance app. On average of 447 lives lost every year over the popular end-of-summer travel extravaganza.

The report also reveals which cities and states are the most treacherous for drivers. When it comes to states, California, Texas, and Florida experience about twice as many fatal crashes as any other U.S. state. Additional states in the top 10 include:

• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• New York
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Ohio
• Tennessee
  
  

As for cities, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Philadelphia top the list of deadliest for drivers over Labor Day weekend. In addition to Dallas, two other cities in Texas—San Antonio and Houston—also made the list. 

The full list of 10 cities experiencing the most fatalities over Labor Day ranks as follows:

• Los Angeles
• Dallas
• Philadelphia
• San Antonio
• Chicago
• Charlotte
• Houston
• Louisville
• Phoenix
• Flushing 
  
  

American flag flying above beautiful sunset over the Mississippi River. (photo via Chris Lauer / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Tips for Labor Day weekend drivers

Want to avoid some of the most treacherous times on the road over the upcoming holiday?

Perhaps reconsider the time of day or the days you choose to travel. The most fatalities over Labor Day weekend occur on Saturday, according to the Jerry study. But Friday evening after 6 p.m. sees the most fatalities per hour as millions of people hit the road and others begin celebrating the long weekend.

Practicing safe driving habits is also essential. Speeding was involved in 31 percent of all fatal crashes. And both alcohol and speeding were involved in 14 percent of all fatal crashes.

Driving in rural areas? Keep this in mind: Nearly half of all fatal crashes (49 percent) take place in rural areas. Among rural crashes, 69 percent involve a vehicle leaving the roadway, versus 41 percent in non-rural areas.  

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