The DUI Crash Calendar: America’s Roads Turn Most Deadly From June Through August

Every year, as temperatures rise and days grow longer, a predictable and preventable tragedy unfolds across America’s highways. A new analysis reveals that fatal drunk driving crashes follow a distinct seasonal pattern, with summer months claiming significantly more lives than any other time of year – raising urgent questions about when, why, and how these deadly incidents can be prevented.

The research by Florida-based personal injury lawyer Blakeley Law Firm analyzed five years of federal crash data (2019–2023) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Using monthly fatal DUI crash counts across all U.S. states, researchers calculated average annual fatalities to identify when alcohol-impaired driving becomes most lethal.

Top 10 Months Recording the Most Fatal DUI Crashes Across the U.S.
Month	Average Annual Fatal DUI Crashes 2019-2023	Rank
July	598	1
August	598	1
June	583	2
May	565	3
September	555	4
October	553	5
November	496	6
April	488	7
December	486	8
March	467	9
January	444	10

July and August tie for first place nationwide, each averaging 598 fatal DUI crashes annually – representing a striking 35% increase over the lowest-risk month (January, with 444 fatal crashes). During these peak summer months, an average of 19 Americans died every day in drunk driving crashes.

June ranks second, with an average of 583 fatal DUI crashes annually, approximately 31% above the national winter baseline. The month saw its deadliest year in 2020 (674 crashes), though numbers declined to 517 by 2023.

May places third, reporting an average of 565 fatal DUI crashes annually, about 27% above winter levels. Fatal crashes peaked dramatically in 2021 at 657 incidents before moderating to 516 in 2023.

September ranks fourth, averaging 555 fatal DUI crashes annually, approximately 25% above January levels. Among the five-year period studied, 2019 and 2021 saw the highest fatality counts (498 and 599 respectively), while 2022 recorded 547 crashes.

October rounds out the top five, averaging 553 fatal DUI crashes annually, about 25% above the winter baseline. With fatalities ranging from a low of 428 in 2019 to a peak of 650 in 2021, October represents the final month of elevated risk before numbers begin declining into the holiday season.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from Blakeley Law Firm said:

“These numbers tell a story that repeats itself every single year – and every single year, families pay the price. When summer arrives, we see a perfect storm: more social gatherings, outdoor events, vacations, and longer daylight hours that encourage people to stay out later. The result is predictable and devastating.

“This isn’t just about statistics on a spreadsheet. Every one of these crashes represents a life cut short, a family forever changed, and a moment when someone made a choice that could have been different. We know when the danger peaks. Now we need to ask ourselves: what are we doing to prevent it during these critical months?”

What Policymakers and Communities Can Do to Reduce Seasonal DUI Crashes

Increase DUI enforcement during high-risk months, particularly from May through September, including sobriety checkpoints and targeted patrols.
Expand public awareness campaigns ahead of peak DUI months, emphasizing the dangers of impaired driving during holidays and summer weekends.
Improve access to safe transportation alternatives, such as late-night public transit, rideshare partnerships, and designated driver programs.
Strengthen penalties and accountability for repeat DUI offenders to deter dangerous behavior during peak seasons.
Use data-driven strategies to allocate resources during months with historically high DUI fatalities, ensuring proactive rather than reactive enforcement.

Methodology

The study was conducted by Blakeley Law Firm, a Florida-based personal injury law firm representing clients injured in motor vehicle accidents or those who have lost loved ones due to negligence. The firm focuses exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death claims.

Researchers analyzed monthly fatal DUI crash data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Crash Data and Analysis (CDAN) system covering the years 2019 through 2023. For each month, the average annual number of fatal DUI crashes was calculated and ranked to identify seasonal trends and peak risk periods nationwide.

Data Sources: