Labor Day doesn’t just mark the unofficial end of summer—it’s also one of the single most dangerous weekends year in and year out for Texas motorists. That’s because Labor Day weekend is consistently tied to spikes in serious and fatal crashes, both in the Lone Star State and nationwide.
Here’s why, looking at:
- Labor Day Crash Statistics in Texas & the U.S.
- 4 Leading Causes of Labor Day Car Accidents
- Labor Day Driving Safety Tips: How to Stay Safe on Texas Roads
To explore more roadway safety insights, check out Fatal Accidents Drop in 2024, Texas Ranks 17th for Worst Roads in the U.S., and Deadly Work Zone Accidents Highlight Urgent Need for Action.
Labor Day Crash Statistics in Texas & the U.S.
The latest statistics on Labor Day motor vehicle accidents paint a grim picture of just how risky and deadly the roads can be as summer winds down in early September.
In fact, the most recent statistics and findings reveal that:
- In 2024, roughly 457 deadly auto accidents occurred in the U.S. over Labor Day weekend. Non-fatal wrecks that year caused about 51,900 injuries.
- In 2024 in Texas alone, 33 fatal wrecks resulted in 40 deaths. That’s an average of 10 deaths a day for the 4-day Labor Day holiday last year. While that represents a 29% increase in deadly Labor Day accidents in Texas since 2020, it also reflects a ~25% decline from an all-time high in 2021 when there were 50 fatalities over this period.
- While drunk driving is a factor in about 1 in 3 crashes during non-holiday periods, that rises to ~39% over the Labor Day holiday.
- Fatal Labor Day auto accidents have accounted for roughly 11% to 12% of all the traffic deaths in September over the past 7 years.
- Over the last decade, Labor Day has ranked as either the first or second deadliest holiday all year, competing with July 4th for this notorious title.
- Since 2018, there has been an average of 467 fatal motor vehicle accidents over Labor Day weekend each year.
- Over the past 30 years, deadly Labor Day crashes have held fairly steady, with between ~400 and ~500 fatal wrecks typically occurring during these 3 days over the past three decades.
Connecting the dots, these recent Labor Day car accident statistics suggest that:
- The last summer holiday of the year is a very risky time to be on the roads.
- Regulators’ and authorities’ efforts to reduce deadly wrecks over Labor Day weekend have not appeared to make a big difference in the statistics, with no significant, sustained reductions in crashes or deaths over the last 30 years.
4 Leading Causes of Labor Day Car Accidents
The surge in Labor Day accidents, injuries, and deaths may be startling on the surface, but it starts to make more sense beyond the numbers when looking at the underlying causes of the most deadly wrecks. To that end, here are a handful of the top causes of fatal Labor Day accidents.
1. Impaired Driving
Three-day weekends and summertime weather tend to make Labor Day a “party” holiday for many. That can mean more alcohol and drug use, which may start during daytime celebrations and extend well into the evening.
As one of the primary causes of Labor Day accidents, impaired driving accounts for roughly 40% of all deadly motor vehicle accidents over this holiday.
2. Heavy Traffic & Road Congestion
Labor Day is a popular road trip holiday, with millions of Americans hitting the roads to enjoy a 3-day weekend before school and extracurricular activities fully get underway. Notably, data shows that there’s a:
- ~9% increase in vehicle miles driven on the Friday preceding Labor Day
- ~23% surge in vehicle miles driven over Labor Day weekend.
With more people on the roads over this holiday, there’s also more congestion, with stop-and-go traffic that can set the stage for multi-vehicle collisions. That’s more likely to happen whenever motorists aren’t focused, sober, or compliant with the rules of the road.
3. Speeding
Motorists are more inclined to put the pedal to the metal over Labor Day, with data showing that speeding skyrockets ~34% over this holiday. In fact, while the average motorist speeds roughly 2.2 minutes every hour over non-holiday periods, that jumps up to 2.93 minutes per hour over Labor Day.
4. Fatigue and Drowsy Driving
Driving to and from Labor Day party destinations, especially at night, can increase the risk of driver fatigue and drowsy driving crashes. Similar to alcohol impairment, fatigued driving can slow down reactions, impair perception, and weaken good judgment.
While that can be a recipe for fatal wrecks on congested roads during the daytime, it can also be deadly at night when visibility is limited and alcohol impairment is more likely.
Labor Day Driving Safety Tips: How to Stay Safe on Texas Roads
As dangerous as the roads can be over Labor Day, there’s quite a bit you can do to protect yourself and minimize your crash risks:
- Plan your route ahead of time: Knowing the path you’ll take can reduce stress and help you avoid traffic bottlenecks or road closures.
- Avoid peak travel times: Friday afternoon and Monday evening are the two most dangerous times to drive over Labor Day weekend because more motorists are on the roads traveling to or from their destination. If possible, plan your travel before or after these surges, so you’re not driving during the most congested times on the roads.
- Never drive while impaired: Do not get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, consuming drugs, or staying up for more than 24 hours without sleep. If you need to travel under these conditions, it’s best to opt for a rideshare, find a designated driver, or use public transportation.
- Follow posted speed limits: Speeding is 100% preventable, so make it a point to look for and comply with the speed limits wherever you’re driving. If visibility is poor, there are highway construction zones, or there’s a lot of congestion, take it a bit slower than the posted speed limit.
- Stay off your phone: Calls, texts, and navigation apps can wait. Use hands-free options or pull over if you need to use your cellphone.
- Take breaks on long drives: If you’ll be on the road for more than two hours, try to stop to rest, stretch, and hydrate every couple of hours. This can help keep you alert during longer commutes.
- Buckle up: Seatbelts save lives and are legally required in Texas. So, buckle your seatbelt every time you’re in a car, no matter how short the trip may be.
- Watch for motorcycles and pedestrians: Stay alert for less visible roadway travelers, leaving extra room and yielding the right of way to them.
These common-sense tips for safe Labor Day driving don’t require a lot of heavy lifting, and most of them align with basic roadway safety. Still, it’s a good idea to walk through these each year and recommit to making them nonnegotiable when you’re on the roads.
Have a Fun &, Above All, a Safe Labor Day
Labor Day should be a time to rest, celebrate, and enjoy yourself. It does not have to end in tragedy on the roads. Yet, year after year, that’s exactly what many people face, even when they’ve abided by the laws and have taken the necessary safety precautions.
When that happens, the statistics can’t help victims fight for justice. An experienced auto accident attorney can, however, help the injured protect their rights and seek full, fair recoveries.