Memorial Day weekend experiences 8.1% more traffic fatalities than other weekends, according to a Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) report. 

The report is based on data from the National Safety Council, which says Memorial Day sees even higher crash rates than major holidays such as Thanksgiving (16% more), New Year’s Day (19% more), and Christmas Day (32% more). 

Increased travel plans help drive the uptick, the report says. AAA projects 39.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend. 

“But it’s not just the increased number of drivers,” the report says. “Risky driving behaviors, like speeding and distracted driving, also see sharp rises.” 

CMT found speeding increased by 52% and distraction by 8.9% on Memorial Day compared to the Mondays before and after the holiday between 2022 and 2024. 

Speeding on Memorial Day starts as early as 6 a.m., with rates 61% higher than usual, the report says. By 7 a.m., speeding peaks at 107% above average. 

“During the morning, drivers exceed the limit for 3 minutes and 38 seconds each hour,” the report states. “CMT research reveals that there are also 64% fewer drivers on the road than on a typical Monday morning commute. The open roads and the urge to beat traffic may tempt drivers to speed to reach their destinations.” 

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., during increased traffic volume, speeding remains 44% above average, the report says. It adds that the trend continues into the afternoon, with speeding 72% higher between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Speeding reaches its highest afternoon point at 4 p.m., when drivers speed for nearly 3 minutes per hour at an 83% increase. 

Distracted driving, including tapping on the phone screen while driving over 9 miles per hour, increases the risk. 

The report found distraction rises in the late morning and early afternoon, with distractions up to 12.7% from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. compared to other Mondays. Traffic also reaches its apex during this three-hour window, the report says. 

Distraction remains high through late afternoon, with its widest gap reaching 19.2% between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Distraction rates return to normal after 7 p.m. 

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