The following four charts are based on the Tables 5K and 5L from SWITRS for the year 2000. SWITRS is a compilation of traffic accidents in California only.
Note that the Tables 5K and 5L are for all alcohol involved collisions which were recorded in California for the year
2000, including motorcycle collisions.
Definitions (from SWITRS' glossary):
- Alcohol Involved Collision
- Any motor vehicle traffic collision where a driver, pedestrian or bicyclist had been drinking.
- Fatal Collision
- A motor vehicle traffic collision resulting in the death of one or more persons within thirty days of the collision.
- Injury Collision
- A motor vehicle traffic collision resulting in injury to one or more persons. Injury would include severe wound, other visible injuries, or complaint of pain. A fatal collision is not included in injury collision.
Based on the California's alcohol involved collision data for the year 2000, the most dangerous hours to be on the road, whether you are sober or not, seem to be between midnight and 3 A.M. Saturday and Sunday mornings. Many drivers (both car drivers and motorcycle riders) who had been drinking seem to be involved in more fatal and injury collisions during these hours.
However, if we look at the four charts based on the SWIRTS 2000 Tables 2B and 2C, we get a somewhat different picture.