Labor Day Leads Summer Holidays in Fatal Speeding Crashes, Smart Start Analysis Finds

Ten years of federal crash data show an annual average of 133 fatal speeding-related crashes over Labor Day.

GRAPEVINE , TX, UNITED STATES, September 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- As millions of Americans prepare to mark the unofficial end of summer, a Smart Start analysis of federal crash data highlights the heightened dangers drivers face over Labor Day.

Smart Start analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data from 2014 through 2023 for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. The findings reveal that Labor Day recorded the highest average number of fatal speeding-related crashes among the three holidays, with 133 per year nationwide.

Impaired driving also remains a serious concern over Labor Day; the holiday averages 90 fatal DUI crashes each year, nearly as many as the Fourth of July’s average of 94 and slightly more than Memorial Day’s 89. Smart Start provides Ignition Interlock Devices that help clients meet state-mandated program requirements and make safer choices behind the wheel.

“Labor Day should be a time to celebrate with friends and family, not a time when preventable choices lead to tragedy,” said Scott McIntyre, Vice President, U.S. Operations at Smart Start. “Before the festivities begin, every driver should decide how they will get home safely, commit to driving sober, and remember that speeding can be just as deadly.”

The analysis also identified notable differences among states:
- Montana ranked highest for fatal DUI crashes on Labor Day relative to its population.
- New Mexico ranked highest for fatal speeding-related crashes over the holiday.
- Kansas recorded the largest increase in fatal Labor Day DUI crashes during the period analyzed, rising 87%.
- Colorado and Alabama each recorded increases of approximately 74% in fatal Labor Day DUI crashes.

Smart Start encourages drivers to plan ahead for Labor Day weekend by designating a sober driver, arranging a rideshare or taxi, using public transportation or staying overnight. For drivers required to use an Ignition Interlock Device, following program requirements and using the device as directed can provide an additional safeguard against impaired driving.

“Preventing impaired driving begins before someone gets behind the wheel,” McIntyre added. “A safe transportation plan made in advance can protect everyone on the road.”

Methodology
Smart Start analyzed data from the NHTSA Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool, or FIRST, covering 2014 through 2023. The analysis examined drivers involved in fatal crashes associated with driving under the influence and speeding in each state during Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

About Smart Start
Based in Grapevine, Texas, Smart Start is a global leader in alcohol monitoring solutions, including Ignition Interlock and portable alcohol monitoring devices. Since 1992, Smart Start devices have prevented over 12 million impaired driving events. Operating in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and 11 other international markets, Smart Start is committed to saving lives and enhancing community safety through an integrated suite of hardware and cloud software solutions. Learn more at www.smartstartinc.com.

Tina Irizarry
Wpromote
tina.irizarry@wpromote.com
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