Data: This Friday is most dangerous day to drive

Columbus Dispatch (OH)

If you are on the road Friday, drive carefully.

That advice comes not from your nagging mother, spouse or other loved one but from Nationwide Insurance.

The most dangerous day to drive this month is expected to be Dec. 16, according to a predictive analysis of Nationwide claims data. According to the analysis, the riskiest day to drive during the holiday season is the second Friday before Christmas Day. "The holiday season is upon us, and for many of us, that means a longer list than ever of to-do items. ... But now, at this time of year especially, our claims team would tell you to drive safe on the road," said Beth Riczko, Nationwide's president of property and casualty personal lines.

A Nationwide survey of 1,000 adults from earlier this year found that compared to pre-pandemic, 81% of drivers today are more aggressive and 79% drive faster.

Nationally, deaths from motor vehicle crashes have been rising since 2019, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which also provides winter driving tips. The number of fatalities rose even as overall vehicle travel decreased in 2020.

A recent analysis by The New York Times found that the U.S. has the highest per-capita rate of roadway deaths among developed nations, which is connected not only to driver behavior but also to the design of vehicles and infrastructure like sidewalks and bicycle lanes.

Peter Gill covers immigration and new American communities for The Dispatch in partnership with Report for America. You can support work like his with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America here:bit.ly/3fNsGaZ.