Progressive Data Pinpoints When Most Accidents Occur

Friday afternoon may be the start of the weekend, but it’s also the day more drivers are ending up in car crashes.

A recent study of claims data by the Ohio-based Progressive group of insurance companies found that more car crashes happen between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday than at any other time and day of the week.

The countrywide study analyzed more than one million crashes reported to the company by its customers and others from January to June of 2003. Here are some of the other findings:

Day when most crashes occur: Friday. It accounted for 16.4 percent of all crashes reported, followed by Saturday at 14.7 percent and Thursday at 14.6 percent.

Morning rush hour crashes: More reported crashes occur on Monday between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., followed by the same times on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Afternoon rush hour crashes: More reported crashes happen on Friday, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., followed by Thursday and Tuesday.

Fewest accidents occur: Fewer crashes occur on average between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. than at any other time period. On Thursdays between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., the least amount of reported crashes occur, followed by Tuesday and Wednesday. During daylight hours, the fewest numbers of crashes occur between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Weekend Warriors: Significantly more crashes occur between 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on Saturdays than on any other day at this time.

Most dangerous weekend time: The most reported crashes on Saturdays and Sundays happen between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Additional findings include:

Lunch Crunch! Lunch-time drivers may want to consider going out for lunch on Wednesday since that time period had the least number of reported crashes occurring from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., followed by Thursday and Tuesday.

Heading For That Weekend Vacation. Drivers may want to delay leaving for weekend getaways – More than twice as many car crashes occur on Friday evenings (from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) than on Saturday mornings (from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.).

Beware of Sunday Drivers! Heading home after a long relaxing weekend? Be mindful that most Sunday crashes occur between 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.; the fewest crashes occur on Sundays occur between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.