Chris Hammons | April 4, 2025 | Car Accidents
Numerous factors play into your risk of being involved in a car accident in Oklahoma. Your age, the weather conditions, and whether you are in an urban or rural environment are just some of the circumstances that can make a wreck more or less likely to happen. The time of day is also a major factor. Knowing the most dangerous times to drive can help keep you safe.
Why Time of Day Matters in Evaluating Crash Risks
Some drivers may assume that most traffic accidents happen at night due to reduced visibility. While nighttime driving does present drivers with challenges, driving during the daylight hours is not necessarily safer. For example, driving at sunrise or sunset can require you to contend with direct sunlight, which can also affect your visibility.
The time of day also impacts how many other drivers are on the road. There are typically more cars and trucks on the road during the morning and evening rush hours than there are late at night or early in the morning. The more traffic present on the road at a given time, the greater the chance that you will accidentally collide with another motorist.
Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics
There were 66,074 motor vehicle wrecks across Oklahoma in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available. Together, these crashes killed 681 people and injured 8,679 others. Accidents occurred in every part of the state, although cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa saw a greater concentration of wrecks than more rural parts of the state.
Most Dangerous Months To Drive
If you are looking to reduce your risk of being involved in a traffic accident, you may wish to avoid driving during September, July, and June. These three months saw the highest number of car accidents. These months coincide with the summer travel season, when more cars are on the road.
Most Dangerous Time Of Day
The early morning was the safest time of day to drive in 2021. Between 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning saw relatively few accidents compared to other times of the day. As the day progressed, the risk of an accident increased. The most dangerous time of day was between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Between 4:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the risk of a crash generally increased. After 5:00 p.m., the risk of an accident slowly decreased until it reached its low point at 3:00 a.m.
What Matters in Avoiding an Oklahoma Wreck
The month, day, and time of day can all play a role in determining how likely it is you will be hurt or affected by a crash. Combined with safe driving behaviors like avoiding alcohol or drugs, getting sufficient sleep, and obeying the law, planning your travel during times when you are less likely to be involved in a wreck can make it safer for you to be on the road in Oklahoma.
Contact an Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyer For a Free Consultation
Regardless of what time of day your accident occurred, you may be entitled to compensation. If you were involved in a car accident in Oklahoma, it’s best to contact a lawyer so you can discuss your legal rights. Contact one today for a free consultation.
For more information, please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. Our law office is located in Oklahoma City.
We proudly serve Oklahoma County, OK and its surrounding areas:
Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers – OKC
1332 SW 89th St,
Oklahoma City, OK 73159
(405) 703-4567
