Have you ever noticed how crazy the roads seem to get around 5 p.m.? Everyone is rushing home from work, picking up kids, running errands, or trying to beat the traffic. And now that we’ve turned our clocks back, many of us are making that evening drive with less daylight.
But here’s something that might make you think twice before hitting the road during rush hour.
A new analysis of federal crash data reveals that the evening commute is when the highest number of fatal crashes involving SUVs and pickup trucks occur. And the numbers are enough to make anyone pay a little more attention behind the wheel.
Rush Hour Isn’t Just Frustrating. It Can Be Deadly.
According to a study conducted by Omega Law Group, there were 4,562 fatal crashes involving SUVs and pickup trucks between 4 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. in 2024.
That accounts for approximately 23.5% of the year’s fatal SUV and pickup crashes.
The two hours with the highest number of crashes were:
- 5 p.m.: 1,210 fatal crashes
- 6 p.m.: 1,202 fatal crashes
Think about that for a minute. Those are the very hours when so many of us are driving home, stopping at the grocery store, or heading out to grab dinner.
Even more surprising? The evening rush hour recorded nearly 89% more fatal SUV and pickup crashes than the early morning hours between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Of course, more crashes during a particular time doesn’t automatically mean driving during those hours is more dangerous per mile. There are simply more vehicles on the road during certain parts of the day. Still, the numbers are a reminder that paying attention during our daily commute matters.
When Do the Most Fatal SUV and Pickup Crashes Happen?
Here’s how the numbers break down throughout the day, according to the study.
| Time of Day | Fatal Crashes |
|---|---|
| Midnight–3:59 a.m. | 2,293 |
| 4 a.m.–7:59 a.m. | 2,416 |
| 8 a.m.–11:59 a.m. | 2,467 |
| Noon–3:59 p.m. | 3,683 |
| 4 p.m.–7:59 p.m. | 4,562 |
| 8 p.m.–11:59 p.m. | 3,927 |
The evening commute clearly stands out, with 635 more fatal crashes than the late-evening period and 2,146 more than the early morning commute.
Interestingly, passenger cars follow a somewhat different pattern. Fatal crashes involving passenger cars tend to peak later in the evening, between 8 p.m. and midnight.
And Now We’re Driving Home in the Dark
If you’re like me, you’re probably still adjusting to the time change.
Daylight saving time ended on November 1, and that means the sun is setting earlier. For many people, the drive home now happens in fading daylight or complete darkness.
That makes these findings particularly timely.
The study found that October had the highest number of fatal SUV and pickup crashes in 2024, with 1,799 reported incidents.
The National Safety Council has also identified late afternoon and early evening as a particularly significant period for fatal crashes during the colder months.
Between holiday shopping, school activities, work schedules, and everyday errands, our roads aren’t exactly getting any less crowded.
And when you add darkness, changing weather conditions, and tired drivers into the mix, it’s a good reminder to slow down and stay alert.
It’s Not Just About What Time You’re Driving
Another interesting finding from the research is where these crashes happen.
While we might picture dangerous accidents occurring on busy highways in large cities, rural roads account for a significant portion of fatal crashes involving SUVs and pickups.
According to the analysis:
- 41.6% of fatal SUV and pickup crashes occurred on rural roads, compared with 34.1% for passenger cars.
- 49.5% occurred on roads with posted speed limits of 55 mph or higher.
- The median posted speed limit at fatal SUV and pickup crash locations was 50 mph, compared with 45 mph for passenger cars.
- Approximately 54% of fatal SUV and pickup crashes happened in daylight.
That last statistic really caught my attention.
We tend to associate dangerous driving conditions with darkness, but more than half of these fatal crashes happened while the sun was up.
It’s a reminder that we can’t let our guard down simply because the weather is nice or visibility seems good.
What About Traffic Fatalities Overall?
The research also highlighted a broader pattern involving all types of vehicles.
In 2024, the United States recorded 39,254 traffic fatalities in the figures provided with the study.
The three-hour period between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. had the highest reported number of deaths, at 6,777.
When combined with the 5,956 deaths recorded between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., approximately one-third of traffi
