Insurance.com's Deadliest Days to Drive: 2007 Update

Safe driving is no accident. As incentive for motorists to think safety-first, consider this sobering data on drivers' deadliest days, dates and times, published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Deadliest Days of the Week To Drive

1. Saturday
2. Sunday
3. Friday
4. Thursday
5. Monday
6. Wednesday
7. Tuesday

Deadliest Times of the Day to Drive

1. 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
2. 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
3. 9 p.m.-midnight
4. noon-3 p.m.
5. midnight-3 a.m.
6. 6 a.m.-9 a.m.
7. 9 a.m.-noon
8. 3 a.m.-6 a.m.

Four Deadliest Days on Roadways

1. July 4
2. July 3
3. December 23
4. December 24

Three Deadliest Days for Pedestrians

1. December 23
2. January 1
3. October 31

Data Source: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The safe-driving theme and NHTSA data resonate with insurance industry insiders Brent Gregory, senior vice president of the American Safety Council, in Orlando, Fla.; Mike Barry, director of media relations for the Insurance Information Institute in New York; Dave Snyder and Jim Whittle, both assistant general counsels with the American Insurance Association in Washington, D.C.; and Lynn Knauf, director of personal lines for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, in Des Plaines, Illinois. Drivers should be especially alert during major holiday periods, asserts Brent Gregory, senior vice president, the American Safety Council, in Orlando, Fla. Says Gregory: "Motorists should take extra precautions, particularly during the holiday periods ... Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Those seem to be among the deadliest days to drive according to data that we've looked at. Be that as it may, motorists should always practice safe driving no matter what the traffic conditions, 24-7. Doing so can be a life saver, maybe your own." (For safe-driving tips, log on to www.insurance.com).

"If you want to enjoy the benefits of reduced auto insurance costs," reports Mike Barry, director of media relations for the Insurance Information Institute, "it would behoove you to exercise caution and safe driving habits at all times, and to shop around for the best auto insurance rates you can because it's a very competitive marketplace. But we also caution drivers to be particularly alert on what the NHTSA has found to be the deadliest dates, days of the week, and times to be on America's roadways."

Knowing what the deadliest times of the day to drive is helpful, but nothing replaces using common sense behind the wheel, according to Lynn Knauf, director of personal lines for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, of Des Plaines, Illinois. By common sense, Knauf was alluding to ideas such as taking steps "to minimize your chances of either causing an accident or being hit by another vehicle."

For starters, Knauf urges motorists to avoid driving during the most dangerous times of the day and avoid unnecessary distractions. "Circumstances often dictate when you get behind the wheel such as your work commute," Knauf continues, "so it's easier said than done selecting the time of day to drive. Be that as it may, when driving," she says, "focus on the road and don't talk on the cell phone, eat or drink, read or send e-mails on your BlackBerry, or fiddle with the radio. If you pay attention to your driving, you'll have a better chance to avoid accidents, and if you avoid accidents, your auto insurance rates should reflect that when your policy comes up for renewal."

AIA Assistant General Counsel Jim Whittle focused on the issue of alcohol consumption. "The higher the alcohol consumption, the greater chance of erratic driving and accidents. The bottom line is motorists always need to be cautious when driving regardless of time of day. NHTSA statistics on highway injuries and death underscore the continuing need for law enforcement manpower and resources to be directed at these problems. Auto insurers are acutely interested in making the roads safer for all of us. And safer roads are better for drivers and auto insurance consumers."

AIA's Vice President and Assistant General Counsel Dave Snyder warned that motorists "…are never safe. Defensive driving must be practiced every hour of every day. Defensive driving would lead to fewer accidents, and considering that driving safety record is one of the primary rating factors in auto insurance it'll pay you to drive sober, exercise caution and use your car's safety equipment such as seatbelts."

Always remember that auto insurance is an essential part of driving, and if the worst happens, you'll need coverage. Log on to Insurance.com's auto insurance comparison application. Here, you will be able to evaluate multiple rates from best-in-class insurance providers - helping you find the cheapest auto insurance coverage for your area and state.

Drive safely, everyone.