Zutobi 2026 Holiday Report: The Deadliest Holidays to be Driving

Holidays are meant for joy and celebration, but the days we look forward to most also carry risks we rarely think about. Every year, as millions of Americans hit the road for a well-earned break, they run into dangers that can turn a happy occasion into a tragedy. Between 2020 and 2024, 11,579 lives were lost in car crashes during these holiday periods.

At Zutobi, we believe in the power of safe driving education and staying informed. In this report, we rank America’s most dangerous holidays to be on the road, based on a close look at the numbers behind DUI, speeding, and inexperience. We ranked each holiday from safest to most dangerous using statistics from the past five years.

First Place: Independence Day

Persons Killed in Fatal Crashes

The Fourth of July is a day of fireworks and parades. It is also the single most dangerous holiday on American roads, taking the top spot among the top five we studied.

Over the past five years, 2,664 lives have been lost during the Independence Day period. The trend is going the wrong way. In 2024, fatalities rose to 579, the highest figure in the dataset and an increase of about 2% over the 567 deaths recorded in 2023.

The 2024 numbers point clearly to the leading causes. 219 deaths were tied to driving under the influence, nearly 38% of that year’s total. Speeding was responsible for 198 deaths, about 34%, and 84 fatalities involved young drivers, one of the most vulnerable groups on the road. These figures are a hard reminder that staying alert and driving responsibly matters most when the celebrations are at their loudest.

To stay safe behind the wheel this Fourth of July:

1. Stay aware of your surroundings and take extra care near parades, gatherings, and fireworks displays where foot traffic is heavy.
2. Take breaks on longer trips to fight fatigue and keep your focus sharp.
3. Celebrate responsibly. If you plan to drink, line up a sober driver or use a rideshare instead.

Second Place: Labor Day

Persons Killed in Fatal Crashes

Labor Day closes out the summer and sends families on one last trip before the season ends. It also ranks second among the most dangerous holidays, which makes it a weekend that calls for extra care.

Over the past five years, 2,567 lives were lost during Labor Day. 2024 brought 505 fatalities, down about 1% from 511 the year before.

A look at 2024 reveals the culprits. 170 deaths were linked to driving under the influence, about 34% of the total. Speeding claimed 150 lives, nearly 30%, while 84 fatalities involved young drivers, a group that faces real risk during holiday travel.

To stay safe behind the wheel this Labor Day:

1. Watch the weather as summer turns to fall. Check local forecasts and road conditions, and adjust your driving to match.
2. Share the road. Give motorcyclists, cyclists, and other drivers room, keep a safe following distance, and signal before you change lanes.
3. Respect the speed limit, especially in work zones and heavy traffic. Getting there safely beats getting there fast.

Third Place: Thanksgiving

Persons Killed in Fatal Crashes

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and gathering, with more people on the road heading home than almost any other point in the year. It ranks third among the most dangerous holidays, and the volume of travel is a big reason why.

Over the past five years, 2,408 lives were lost during the Thanksgiving holiday. The latest year stands out for a sharp drop, with 344 fatalities in 2024, down about 30% from 490 in 2023.

164 lives were lost to driving under the influence, about 48% of the total. Speeding accounted for 132 deaths, roughly 38%, and 68 fatalities involved young drivers, a group that faces added risk during the busy holiday rush.

To stay safe behind the wheel this Thanksgiving:

1. Prep your vehicle before the trip. Check tire pressure, brakes, and fluid levels.
2. Cut the distractions. Keep your attention on the road and skip the texting and eating while you drive.
3. Rest up before a long drive. A tired driver is a dangerous one.

Fourth Place: Memorial Day

Persons Killed in Fatal Crashes

Memorial Day kicks off the summer and sends people out for road trips and time outdoors. It ranks fourth among the most dangerous holidays, and that mix of heavy traffic and celebration is part of the story.

Over the past five years, 2,336 lives have been lost during Memorial Day weekend. The most recent year, 2024, saw 462 fatalities, down about 5% from 486 in 2023.

The 2024 breakdown shows where the danger comes from. 174 lives were lost to driving under the influence, about 38% of the total. Speeding claimed 161 lives, roughly 35%, and 70 fatalities involved young drivers. A long weekend tends to mean fuller roads and, too often, alcohol behind the wheel, which is why the right habits matter so much here.

To stay safe behind the wheel this Memorial Day:

1. Check your vehicle first. Tire pressure, brakes, and fluid levels are quick to look at and easy to forget.
2. Stay attentive and skip the distractions that pull your eyes off the road.
3. Plan your route ahead of time, keeping traffic and closures in mind.
4. Line up a sober driver or another ride if you plan to drink.

Fifth Place: Christmas

Persons Killed in Fatal Crashes

Christmas brings families together to celebrate and slow down for the season. Of the five holidays we studied, it is the safest on the road. Over the past five years, 1,604 lives have been lost in fatal crashes during the Christmas period.

The latest year saw a decline, with 153 fatalities in 2024, down about 61% from 389 in 2023. The 2024 figures show that the familiar risks remained. 60 lives were lost to driving under the influence, about 39% of the total. Speeding was responsible for 48 deaths, roughly 31%, and 18 fatalities involved young drivers.

Christmas carries a lower risk than the other major holidays, but the same rules apply. Staying alert and driving with care keeps the season a happy one.

To stay safe behind the wheel this Christmas:

1. Line up a sober driver or another ride if you plan to drink.
2. Keep distractions to a minimum and put the phone away.
3. Stay alert for young and less experienced drivers who may be more likely to make mistakes.

Other Holidays Worth Watching

The five holidays above top the list, but they are not the only dates that bring added risk to the road. Here is how a handful of other holidays compare, based on the average number of fatal crashes each year.

Father’s Day tops this group with an average of 431 fatal crashes a year, followed closely by Cinco de Mayo at 419 and Mother’s Day at 402. Halloween sees about 396 fatal crashes and 115 deaths a year on average, while Easter averages 382 crashes and 30 deaths. New Year sits at the lower end of this list with 237. Wherever you are headed, the same advice holds: stay sober, stay focused, and give yourself plenty of time.

How Can This Be Improved?

Education is one of the most powerful tools we have for safer roads. Strong driver training gives new drivers a real foundation in defensive driving, responsible choices around alcohol, and the dangers of distraction. Public safety campaigns help too, keeping good habits at the front of everyone’s mind behind the wheel.

As Lucas Waldenback, co-founder of Zutobi, puts it, “Effective driver education is key to safer roads for everyone. By ensuring drivers are equipped with the right knowledge and skills, we can make holiday travel safer for all.”

Holidays should be about the people we love, not the risks we take to reach them. By driving responsibly and spreading awareness through education, we can make holiday travel safer and keep these moments the happy ones they are meant to be.

Previous reports

2023 Holiday Report

2024 Holiday Report

2025 Holiday Report

Methodology

Data in this report has been gathered from different governmental websites, including the Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST) developed by NHTSA, and NSC injury data.  This report features the latest data released in 2026.