Car collisions can happen anytime, but how frequently do they occur? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that more than five million passenger car accidents happen each year across America – or roughly 13,700 crashes per day.
It can be mind-boggling to imagine 13,700 crashes simultaneously daily, though it’s not like they’re all centered in one location. But if you live in North Carolina, you might wonder: How frequent are motor vehicle accidents in this state?
The most dangerous months
According to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV), 2021 saw 276,026 crashes, up from 2020’s 247,214. That’s roughly 756 crashes for each day of the year. However, when broken down per month, the data reveals that October saw the most crashes in 2021, with 27,354 collisions recorded. The second and third-highest months for crashes were November and December, with 27,277 and 25,250 collisions, respectively.
Regarding collisions that resulted in deaths, April that year saw an unusual spike of 194 fatal crashes, though October was not far behind with 189. However, October still held the highest five-year average for fatal crashes, at 141.
The most dangerous days of the week
The National Safety Council said that, on average, fatal car crashes in 2021 occurred more on weekends, while the number of non-fatal crashes tend to be higher on weekdays. NCDMV’s data corroborates this finding, showing that Saturdays of 2021 had the most fatal car crashes, with 280. However, while Sundays saw 261 fatal crashes, the day with the second-highest number was Friday, with 270.
When considering all types of crashes, not just the fatal ones, 2021’s Fridays had the greatest total number of crashes, with 47,385. The next highest days were Thursdays (40,829) and Wednesdays (40,779).
The most dangerous hours
The peak hour for most traffic accidents in 2021 was 5:00 p.m., with 23,132 accidents that occurred then. However, the hour with the most fatal crashes was 6:00 p.m. with 123. It happens that the time between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. is rush hour, when most people leave their workplaces to go home.
In conclusion, the most dangerous time for an auto accident in North Carolina, based on 2021 data, is from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., all Saturdays in October. Whether you’re a driver or a commuter, know that car collisions can happen out of the blue regardless of the numbers. If you get into an accident, prioritize receiving medical attention, then retain the services of a lawyer to seek damages from the at-fault driver.