Car Insurance Fourth of July weekend is a deadly time to be on the road View Carriers Please enter valid zip Compare top carriers in your area Written by Michelle Megna Michelle Megna Michelle, the former editorial director, insurance, at QuinStreet, is a writer, editor and expert on car insurance and personal finance. Prior to joining QuinStreet, she reported and edited articles on technology, lifestyle, education and government for magazines, websites and major newspapers, including the New York Daily News. Reviewed by Penny Gusner Penny Gusner Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. Posted on: June 27, 2012 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. The holidays are a dangerous time to be on the road, and the Fourth of July weekend proves to be one of the deadliest. Every year, hundreds of Americans die as a result of alcohol-related car crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been tracking car crash statistics for a quarter of a century. In 2010 (the most recent data available), 397 people died in crashes over the Memorial Day weekend. Holiday car crashes Holiday Fatalities Fourth of July (3-day period) 392 deaths (39 percent alcohol related) Labor Day (3-day period) 403 deaths (36 percent alcohol related) Memorial Day (3-day period) 397 deaths (40 percent alcohol related) New Year’s (3-day period) 297 deaths (48 percent alcohol related) Thanksgiving (4-day period) 431 deaths (40 percent alcohol related) Christmas (3-day period) 259 deaths (37 percent alcohol related) Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2010 data. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious risk. Aside from being irresponsible on the road, impaired driving carries serious insurance consequences. If your insurer discovers you’ve been convicted of a DUI, your car insurance rates will likely increase or your policy may be canceled or not renewed. When people think of a deadly holiday, they generally associate it with New Year’s Day. While that weekend is deadly, other holidays are just as dangerous. The statistics vary annually based on which day of the week the holiday falls. For example, some holidays have a four-day weekend, while others only take place during three days – and some holidays vary in length from year to year. Drunk driving is a major threat to public safety and many states continue to work to get intoxicated drivers off the highways. NHTSA reports that in 2010 more than 10,000 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-impaired car crashes, one every 51 minutes. In addition, NHTSA research has consistently shown that more people are killed in crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver on the weekends and at night. But no matter what day it is, most crash fatalities occur on two-lane roads. Also, more people die while driving in rain compared to snow or sleet. Michelle MegnaContributor  . .Michelle, the former editorial director, insurance, at QuinStreet, is a writer, editor and expert on car insurance and personal finance. Prior to joining QuinStreet, she reported and edited articles on technology, lifestyle, education and government for magazines, websites and major newspapers, including the New York Daily News. In case you missed it Best Car Insurance Companies of 2024 Car insurance rates by state in 2024 What is full coverage car insurance? How much does car insurance cost for seniors in 2024? A complete guide to adding a teenager to your car insurance policy in 2024 What to do after a car accident that’s not your fault Total warfare: What to do when your auto insurer totals your car Car insurance claims: Who gets the claims check? 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