A pair of newly released national traffic studies confirm what many Texans may already suspect: late-night weekend driving in the Lone Star State is lethally dangerous.
A study by the Santini Law Firm, using crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 2019 to 2023, identified the single deadliest hour on Texas roads: 9 to 10 p.m.
During this hour alone, the state averages 254 fatal crashes per year, making up over 6% of all deadly accidents annually.
That’s the highest number among the top ten most populated states in the country, according to the study.
Texas wasn’t alone in its late-night crash surges; states like Illinois and Georgia also saw the 9 p.m. hour as their most dangerous. However, while some states peak during the rush hour or twilight windows (6-7 p.m.), Texas’ late-night spike sets it apart.
“With many of these states seeing rush hour and twilight hours as their most dangerous time, this is usually the time when many people are commuting home or running errands after work. Even if your commute or routine is something you’ve done hundreds, if not thousands, of times, your driving awareness should always be top priority,” Santini said.
A second study conducted by Ohio personal injury lawyer John Fitch ranked Texas as the sixth most dangerous state for weekend driving, with nearly 35% of fatal crashes taking place on Saturdays and Sundays.
Of 18,728 fatal crashes during the 2019-2023 window, 3,286 took place on Sundays, making it the single most dangerous day to drive in Texas. Saturdays were followed closely by 3,222 fatal crashes.
Nationally, the average percentage of fatal crashes that took place on the weekends was 32.53%, meaning Texas is well above the norm.
The reasons? Heavier traffic from weekend travel and an increase in drunk drivers all contribute to higher risk on weekend roadways.
“The advice is simple. You should always remain vigilant when driving, but even more so during peak times. If you’re able to travel on a different day or at least at a different time, you will reduce your risk of an accident,” Fitch said.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, A 2023 analysis ranked Texas among the top five most hazardous states for drivers across the country. Additionally, Dallas ranked as the ninth most dangerous city for drivers in America at that time.
Bottom line: In Texas, your odds of encountering a fatal crash are highest on Sunday nights between 9 and 10 p.m. – and now some experts are advising drivers to hit the roads at less risky times.