Most Dangerous Days of the Year — Full Breakdown & Transcript

[00:00] In King County, DUI arrests on Super Bowl Sundays are on the rise in recent years. Welcome to WatchMojo. And today, we're looking at days of the year that may usually be associated with fun or complete normalcy,

[00:14] but have statistically shown to be the most hazardous. From masks to costumes, your choices are endless. But if you have to choose for your children, doctors say the best and safest bet is safe makeup.

[00:27] Blackout Wednesday. One event in particular has taken the beginning of the winter holiday season by storm. The day before Thanksgiving is known as one of the biggest drinking days of the year. It even has a nickname, Blackout Wednesday.

[00:40] Thanksgiving Eve, also known as Blackout Wednesday, is a night where people release their inhibitions. With it being the start of a long weekend for college students and working adults alike, bars see a surge in business.

[00:52] While a night of pure excess sounds fun, there are some risks that naturally come with it. It's the time when people overindulge to the point of having so much alcohol they would black out. Attempting to black out can make any inexperienced or veteran drinker sick.

[01:07] Additionally, the roads become a hazard, with one being 55% more likely to encounter an impaired motorist that night. The risks are evidence, but don't worry. As long as you know your limits and book an Uber, you can safely party all night long.

[01:23] There's no reason to drive and drink in this day and age. Valentine's Day. No, we're not kidding. Don't be fooled by the chocolates and flowers. This romantic holiday is much more perilous than you might think.

[01:36] After tracking hospital stays for more than 3,000 men for 15 years, they found when they looked at days of the week and months of the year, there was a 1.2% rise in penile fractures around romantic holidays.

[01:50] On Valentine's Day, couples all over the world go out of their way to celebrate one another. However, not all loving gestures will have a rom-com result. A home-cooked meal or display of lit candles seems sweet, but if either are left unattended,

[02:06] then you may be spending the night with the fire department instead. To avoid a tragedy in the first place, extinguish all flames before walking away. Acts of passion are also common, and some become so intense that both partners are at risk of hurting themselves.

[02:22] The dangers aren't just physical. There's also an increased chance of emotional distress, with 15 million people in the United States alone reporting worsened mental health as it approached.

[02:34] That is something almost everyone is looking for, and the lack of it can lead to tragedy. Tax day. It's been said before that nothing in this world is certain except death and taxes.

[02:46] Unfortunately, those two instances have a chance of intersecting on tax day. If we put it off until today, what do we do today? Well, if you're not going to be able to file today, you have to file for an extension.

[02:59] Every April 15th, millions of adults throughout the United States rush to turn in their returns and make payments to the government. One study found that 30 of those who filed reported worsened mental health during the season and that 50 agreed it was the most nerve time of the year Okay Mark if anyone asks you require 24 nursing care Lisa a clergyman Maggie has seven people and Bart was wounded in Vietnam

[03:22] Cool! In fact, people can become so overwhelmed that they become a risk to others. The chances of getting into a deadly wreck increase by 6% that day, likely due to drivers being so worked up that they become easily distracted.

[03:37] The number of fatal car crashes on tax day increases by 6%. That's another reason to take it slow as you file and on the road. St. Patrick's Day.

[03:49] What started out as a religious holiday has now become one of the biggest occasions dedicated to nonstop partying. The parade steps off at 11 a.m., stretching from Midtown to the Upper East Side, featuring about 150,000 marchers and drawing close to 2 million people.

[04:07] That's right. Some celebrations are attended by millions of people, many of which are also enjoying one or several adult beverages. With that in mind, it's no wonder why the chances of getting into a car accident skyrocket for motorists and pedestrians alike.

[04:25] Officers won't just be waiting for trouble, but looking for it. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has even classified it as one of the most hazardous days to drive. However, the risks don't appear just because you aren't behind the wheel.

[04:40] It comes with the increased likelihood of physical injuries, from fights between partygoers to alcohol-induced falls. In those cases, attendees find themselves with a hospital bill rather than a pot of gold.

[04:54] I also think it's important to recognize the signs of overconsumption. Black Friday, you can set your watch by it. Every year, shoppers around the world leave the comfort of their Thanksgiving meals

[05:08] for a chance to secure a deal at their favorite stores. Take a look behind me here. The doors just opened up. A big crowd of people coming on inside the store right now. This is the big day retailers and shoppers have been waiting for all year.

[05:21] While they may find some incredible Black Friday deals, they may also run into trouble. There have been several instances of harm caused by the large crowds in the past.

[05:33] From customers brawling over items to people being trampled at the doors. Watch as merchandise starts flying through the crowds at this Walmart in Virginia and this one in South Carolina. The latter makes up a third of medical events on that night.

[05:47] The Jeopardy doesn't stop once you exit the store. parking lots and roads are just as risky, with some organizations finding that there are 34% more vehicular accidents on that day

[05:59] than others within a multi-week period. All the more reason to participate in Cyber Monday instead. All in all, our experts say to pay particular attention to laptops, beauty,

[06:11] and clothing sales this Cyber Monday, guys. Want a surefire way of avoiding intense crowds or injuries during these hazardous days? We've got you covered. scan the QR code and join WatchMojo's 24-7 live stream for hours

[06:24] of non-stop pop culture fun New Year's Eve for many that countdown to midnight signifies a chance at a fresh start Hey Hey Hey Will this horrible year never end We never lost a year before and I be damned if we going to lose one on my shift

[06:47] However, there's a chance those same people could be wounded before they even get the chance to pick a resolution. New Year's Eve comes with a wide variety of risks, both for those traveling and those partying at home.

[07:00] The presence of alcohol or other illicit substances poses a good amount of a peril, with impaired driving alone accounting for 42% of traffic-related incidents that day. That is simply too many people making bad decisions about getting behind the wheel while they're impaired.

[07:16] Besides car accidents, the use of fireworks during celebrations are also a leading cause of trauma. One study taken across a decade-long period found that nearly 24% of those wounds required surgery afterwards.

[07:30] Proper handling is vital to ensuring safety and a good start to your year. The main concern is actually the fireworks that people hold and they throw. And as we've seen some more like black market fireworks occurring, what you're seeing is kind of higher firepower and higher gunpowder that's occurring.

[07:45] And so we're seeing significant injuries to the hands. We're actually seeing some amputations and things of that nature. Super Bowl Sunday. If you believe the only ones at risk are those playing, then think again. Everything is a push.

[07:57] Coach is a push. Defense is a push. I think the edge is with the Seahawks offense. That's where I think the difference is. So, but I still think it, and it could be a blowout. Super Bowl Sunday is particularly hazardous for those off the field.

[08:11] Plenty of minor injuries occurred during the game itself, including fans striking their TVs in anger, or excitement and hosts accidentally burning or cutting themselves while preparing food for the occasion.

[08:23] Game day snacks are also a significant risk factor. Oh, my, my belt. They primarily consist of cholesterol-packed selections

[08:36] that place more strain in the heart, which is already at risk of cardiac event from an unexpected game time decision. It also sees an increase in domestic violence incidents and car accidents, with there being a significant uptick in the latter

[08:50] and the hours following the game. What it is is a combination of alcohol and those events or parties or gatherings where there's a lot of emotional investment and a lot of drinking over time.

[09:07] Fourth of July. New Year's Eve isn't the only occasion that comes with a heightened chance of fireworks-related wounds. Celebrate the independence of your nation by blowing up a small part of it. Every summer, people celebrating America's birthday see the consequences of mishandling explosives.

[09:24] In fact, 27% of annual injuries in that category take place on the 4th of July. Traveling is also more dangerous, with one having an astounding 78% increased chance of encountering a drunk driver than they would on a normal one.

[09:39] Law enforcement across the area say that there will be increased patrols and more officers on the streets doing targeted enforcement on DUI Accidents aside Independence Day is considered to be one of the most violent days of the year

[09:55] with over 50 mass shootings occurring since 2014. As if having to worry about other people wasn't bad enough, the hot summer temperatures have made sure that those attending barbecues run the risk of contracting some related ailments as well.

[10:10] So this Fourth of July, enjoy the sun, but stay safe by protecting your eyes, skin, hands, feet, and your ears. August 2nd. When it comes to motor vehicle accidents, you may think they happen most frequently during the winter or on holidays.

[10:26] Researchers believe when the weather is nice, drivers are not as on guard as they would be during severe weather or during a holiday. Yet, the single most deadliest day for car accidents throughout the entire year doesn't occur on either.

[10:41] Instead, that distinction goes to a seemingly unremarkable date, August 2nd. Across a four-year period, over 500 people perished. A report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that on average to date,

[10:55] August 2nd has consistently been the deadliest day out of the entire year for car crashes across the country. This phenomenon is caused by a wide variety of factors. The lack of any inclement weather is the most notable,

[11:09] as people have been found to be less cautious with no immediate sign of danger. So if you need to travel somewhere on August 2nd, we recommend you wearing your seatbelt and following all traffic laws to ensure you'll safely make it to your destination.

[11:23] The best way to keep yourself safe has been proving time and time again. Buckle up your seatbelt, limit distractions like cell phones, and slow down your car. Halloween.

[11:35] This night, as with all nights, should be one where children get to roam without fear of major trauma. Both parents and kids are in the Halloween spirit, and let me show you what's going on. This is Manigault Street in the Reynolds Town area.

[11:49] This is so cool. Atlanta police blocked the street to keep it safe for all of the kids out here. Unfortunately, youth's chances of being struck by a car more than double while trick-or-treating on Halloween, and they make up 18% of fatal crash victims that night.

[12:04] Their costumes also pose a surprising risk between masks that make it hard to see and makeup that causes skin irritation. Masks sometimes can cover up a child's eyes and make it difficult for them to see

[12:16] and also they can get overheated. Or you can use a patch test to make sure that they don't have any kind of reactions. Even something simple like pumpkin carving isn't safe. With the activity being the cause of 44%

[12:28] of Halloween-related injuries, Children aren't the only ones in peril. Adults have also met their fate to impair drivers, with over 50% being between the ages of 21 and 34.

[12:41] It's oddly fitting that the scariest day of the year is also the most unsafe. Last year there were 93 drunk driving deaths on Halloween alone. That made up about half of all driving deaths in a 24-hour period.

[12:56] Which of these dangerous days surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments below.