Car Accidents Increase on Election Days

October 2008

An analysis of 30 years' worth of traffic fatality data has uncovered an interesting trend – car accidents spike on presidential Election Days. Researchers found that, on average, 24 more people died and 800 more sustained disabling injuries in car crashes during voting hours on the past eight presidential Election Days when compared to other Tuesdays in October and November.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and cited rushing to get to polling places, driving on unfamiliar routes, and being distracted by thoughts of the candidates as possible explanations for the auto accident increase. It is based on fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Researchers analyzed traffic data during polling hours on presidential Election Days and on the two Tuesdays before and after since 1976.

Study co-author Dr. Donald Redelmeier, a professor at the University of Toronto, said that risks can be easily avoided by not speeding, wearing seatbelts, and by avoiding drinking and driving. He says that the study should not discourage people from voting but should encourage them to practice safe driving habits.