Seasonal Crash Patterns
Monthly distribution of commercial vehicle crashes from FMCSA records. Identifies peak crash months and seasonal factors that influence crash frequency.
Understanding Seasonal Patterns
Crash frequency varies throughout the year due to several factors: freight volume (peaks around holidays and harvest season), weather conditions (ice, fog, rain), daylight hours (shorter days in winter), road construction activity, and holiday travel patterns. Understanding these patterns helps carriers plan for heightened risk periods and allocate safety resources accordingly.
If crashes were evenly distributed, each month would account for about 8.3% of the annual total. Months significantly above this threshold represent peak risk periods.
Monthly Crash Distribution
All months with crash frequency and severity
12-month crash distribution
| Month | Total Crashes | % of Total | Fatal Crashes | Fatalities | Injuries | Seasonal Context | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 447,700 | 917.6% | 12,202 | 14,243 | 266,207 | Post-holiday freight surge, winter weather | Above Avg |
| February | 407,837 | 835.9% | 11,122 | 12,859 | 246,901 | Winter storms, shorter days | Above Avg |
| March | 403,642 | 827.3% | 11,865 | 15,182 | 259,986 | Spring thaw, road construction begins | Above Avg |
| April | 370,922 | 760.2% | 11,548 | 13,399 | 241,781 | Increased freight, spring storms | Average |
| May | 388,763 | 796.8% | 12,270 | 14,267 | 260,587 | Memorial Day travel, construction season | Average |
| June | 394,169 | 807.9% | 13,080 | 15,477 | 260,466 | Summer freight peak begins | Above Avg |
| July | 380,751 | 780.4% | 12,610 | 15,092 | 254,746 | Peak summer travel, holiday weekend | Average |
| August | 406,502 | 833.2% | 13,699 | 15,839 | 268,355 | Continued summer peak | Above Avg |
| September | 405,100 | 830.3% | 13,350 | 15,420 | 267,615 | Back-to-school, harvest season begins | Above Avg |
| October | 443,399 | 908.8% | 14,216 | 16,429 | 288,590 | Fall freight surge, early darkness | Above Avg |
| November | 406,179 | 832.5% | 12,490 | 14,428 | 254,180 | Pre-holiday freight peak, Thanksgiving travel | Above Avg |
| December | 423,993 | 869.0% | 12,400 | 14,346 | 255,989 | Holiday peak, winter weather, year-end deadlines | Above Avg |
Key Findings
Highest Crash Month
January
447,700 crashes (917.6% of total)
Lowest Crash Month
April
370,922 crashes (760.2% of total)