Melissa Donovan
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, Florida drivers are being urged to plan their travel times carefully to avoid the most dangerous hour on the roads: 8:00 to 8:59 PM.
According to a new analysis by Texas-based law firm The Texas Law Dog, which reviewed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST), this evening hour is statistically the deadliest time to drive on Memorial Day in Florida. Between 2019 and 2023, 16 fatal crashes occurred during this one-hour window in the state.
By contrast, the safest time to be on the road in Florida on Memorial Day is 7:00 to 7:59 AM, with only one fatal crash reported during that time over the same five-year span.
National Trends Echo Florida’s Evening Risks
Florida is not alone in seeing a spike in evening fatalities on Memorial Day. Nationwide, the 9:00 to 9:59 PM window saw the most fatal crashes, with 185 lives lost during that hour between 2019 and 2023. However, in Florida, the danger peaks one hour earlier, at 8 PM.
The findings are based on an in-depth study of Memorial Day-specific crash data collected over five years. Analysts examined fatal crash reports to determine the most dangerous hours in each U.S. state during the holiday.
“We hope this helps families stay safe this Memorial Day and avoid driving when it has previously proven most dangerous,” a spokesperson for The Texas Law Dog said.
A Safer Strategy: Early Mornings and Mid-Afternoon Returns
For those planning road trips or family outings this Memorial Day, experts recommend departing around 6:00 or 8:00 AM, which were identified as some of the safest hours to drive nationally.
If you’re returning home later in the day, the best time to hit the road is between 2:00 and 3:00 PM, when fatal crash rates drop significantly compared to the evening rush.
Substance Use a Growing Concern
Memorial Day also overlaps with the end of the academic year for many colleges, a factor that can contribute to increased risk on the roads. The analysis cross-referenced fatal crash data with springtime drug-related incidents from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and found a higher likelihood of crashes involving drug-impaired drivers during this period in nearly half of U.S. states.
“There is also an overlap with end-of-year college celebrations, which exacerbate the statistics, making this time of the year especially dangerous to be driving in half the states,” the spokesperson said.
Between 2019 and 2023, there were 2,077 fatal crashes across the United States on Memorial Day. Of those, 181 occurred in Florida, placing the state among the highest in terms of overall fatalities during the holiday.
Stay Safe on the Roads This Memorial Day
Florida drivers are encouraged to be especially cautious when planning travel over Memorial Day weekend. Opting for early morning departures and afternoon returns can significantly reduce the risk of encountering dangerous driving conditions.
With high traffic volumes, celebratory activities, and potential substance use factoring into the risk equation, Memorial Day travel demands extra vigilance behind the wheel.
Key Travel Takeaways for Florida Drivers:
Avoid driving between 8:00 – 8:59 PM on Memorial Day.
Safest time to drive: 7:00 – 7:59 AM.
Ideal return time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM.
Be alert for impaired drivers, especially during evening hours.
By making informed decisions about when to travel, Floridians can better protect themselves and their loved ones during one of the year’s busiest — and riskiest — holiday weekends.
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