Look Both Ways: New Year’s Is The Deadliest Day For Pedestrians

It’s New Year’s Eve, you have every excuse and every right to celebrate the fact that you survived the Mayan Apocalypse with a few drinks and a night on the town. Just make sure you look both ways before crossing the street, because New Year’s is the deadliest day of the year for pedestrians.

The Washington Post reports that 99 pedestrian deaths occurred on Jan. 1 between 1986 and 2002, making it the deadliest day of the year for accidentally stepping off the curb. Researchers for the Journal of Injury Prevention note that most of those deaths occur in the wee hours, and that 20 percent of pedestrian deaths year-round happen on New Year’s.

I know, I know, 99 deaths in 16 years and 20 percent death rate don’t sound like a lot, but you have to trust me that it does represent a statistical majority. We only have your best interests at heart here at IQ.

Just because you’re in a car doesn’t mean you’re safe, either. New Year’s Day has the fifth-highest number of car crash deaths year-round. The top of that list? July 4.

To avoid the irony of untimely death just shortly after you make your New Year’s resolutions, we advise being a bit cautious as this evening turns into tomorrow morning. You see, most pedestrian deaths happen between midnight and 6am when celebrators are rushing back and forth between bars, house parties, and other New Year’s events.

Luckily, we have one thing on our side as we engage in revelry and botched attempts at singing “Auld Lang Syne” this evening. MSN reports that New Year’s falls on a Tuesday this year, and Tuesday is the day of the week with the lowest rate of car-related deaths.

Be safe, kiddos!