FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — An estimated 119.3 million people traveled at least 50 miles between December 21st and January 1st in 2024, marking a record high, according to AAA.
The record-high travel, along with other factors like driving under the influence and fatigue, makes this period a perilous time to drive.
The National Safety Council projects that 179 people may die on U.S. roads during the 2025 New Year’s holiday period, based on past car accident statistics.
CarInsurance.com analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to identify the most dangerous times and places to drive on New Year’s Eve.
California ranks 27th among all 50 states for the most dangerous, but Fresno County ranks 5th among the most dangerous counties in the country.
The most dangerous U.S. counties for driving during this holiday are Sarasota County, Florida (2.3 fatalities per 100,000 people, totaling 10 deaths), Manatee County, Florida (2 fatalities per 100,000, totaling eight deaths), Davidson County, Tennessee (1.96 per 100,000, totaling 14 deaths), Collier County, Florida (1.86 per 100,000, totalling seven deaths, and Fresno County, California (1.78 per 100,000, totally 18 deaths).
Other California counties in the top 50 are Solano County at 10th, San Joaquin County at 21st, Kern County at 25th, and San Bernardino County at 28th.
Driving safety tips for the New Year’s holiday periodWear your seat belt.Do not drive under the influence. Arrange for a designated driver or call a rideshare service.Don’t text or check messages while driving.Avoid peak travel times. The most dangerous time to travel during New Year’s is between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you.
Click here to read the full report on CarInsurance.com.