A comprehensive review of 2023 crash data by John Foy & Associates reveals that two-thirds of fatal crashes in the United States involve three preventable behaviors—alcohol impairment, speeding, and distraction- and that these behaviors spike in predictable months. The firm urges states and cities to adopt a “calendar playbook” that matches targeted enforcement and public messaging to these known danger windows.
Nationwide, 2023 saw 37,654 fatal crashes, 40,901 deaths, and over 2.6 million injuries, according to NHTSA. While summer maintained a narrow lead in overall fatalities, October emerged as the single deadliest month, logging 3,505 fatal crashes—12% above the monthly average (3,138).
“We can predict the months, and sometimes the weeks, when the worst behaviors surge,” said a spokesperson for John Foy & Associates. “That means we can prevent more deaths with smarter timing and placement of enforcement and education.”
The Behavior Breakdown
-
Alcohol Impairment: 11,222 crashes involved a driver with a BAC ≥0.08 in 2023. July led the year with 1,065 alcohol-related crashes, aligning with major holidays and summer events.
-
Speeding: 10,541 fatal crashes tied to excessive speed, peaking in July (1,014), May (973), and August (971).
-
Distraction: 3,041 fatal crashes involved distracted driving, with the highest monthly counts in May (299), July (291), and August (285), and the lowest in January (192) and February (202).
Seasonal Signals You Can Act On
-
Summer vs. Fall: Summer (June–August) tallied 10,017 fatalities, edging Fall (September–November) at 10,002—but October alone moved Fall within a whisper of the top.
-
Winter & Spring: Spring (9,070) reflects holiday/event travel spikes; Winter (8,565) stays lower due to reduced travel, despite ice and darkness.
-
Safest Month: February posted the fewest fatal crashes (2,645), about 20% below the monthly average.
Special Case: March “Spring Break” Spike
The analysis found a clear March escalation, particularly in tourist states. Florida recorded 72 alcohol-related fatalities in March, one of its highest monthly totals. Nationally, March fatalities were ~9% above winter averages, reflecting vacation travel, younger drivers, and alcohol-centric events. California and Texas also saw above-average March fatality counts.
State Outliers Underscore the Need for Targeted Plans
-
Texas led the nation in both alcohol-impaired (1,510) and speeding-related (1,219) deaths in 2023, with August as its deadliest month (141 alcohol-related crashes; 349 speeding fatalities).
-
California recorded 361 speeding-related deaths in October, the highest monthly speeding total for any state.
-
Georgia mirrored national seasonality, logging 1,491 speeding-related fatalities, with peaks in early summer and alcohol-related spikes into early fall.
The Calendar Playbook: Five Moves
-
October Readiness: Treat the time-change window like a holiday weekend—DUI waves, evening commuter speed control, and “lights on / slow down” visibility messaging.
-
Summer Surge Package: Pair sobriety checkpoints with speed details around Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day; run “eyes up, phones down” pushes ahead of long weekends.
-
Spring Break Protocol: Coordinate campus-to-coast campaigns with rental-car partners and destination cities; emphasize designated drivers and fatigue breaks.
-
Back-to-School Blitz (Aug–Sept): Focus on distraction and school-zone speed with commuter-hour patrols and teen driver education.
-
Data-Directed Policing: Shift resources weekly based on state and county trendlines; align PSAs with rain/visibility forecasts and event calendars.
“Sixty-six percent of fatal crashes involve decisions we can change,” the firm added. “With a seasonal game plan, states can meet risk where it actually lives.”