Have you filed your taxes yet this year? In the days leading up to the filing of your taxes, your stress level can go through the roof. You worry about whether or not you’re doing something wrong. You worry about having to write a huge check. And you worry about getting everything filed by the deadline (typically right before midnight on April 15th), so your return won’t be marked as late.
Because of this financial pressure, fear of mistakes, and strict deadline, Tax Day itself is consistently ranked as one of the most stressful days of the year, and this should matter to anyone who must be on the road during tax season—especially right before the filing deadline.
Studies show that accidents increase as the tax deadline approaches, and that increase can continue even after all those tax forms are in. Many people must work night after night (sometimes up until the last second) to complete their tax forms on time, and the increased stress and sleep deprivation can lead to problems on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and AAA Exchange, distracted driving from stress is a major cause of car accidents. And according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Sleep Foundation, sleep-deprived driving is like drunk driving.
The sleep deprivation and increased stress can also make drivers more irritable and increase the incidents of road rage. Filers may also be more prone to drink on Tax Day—either to relax from the stress or to celebrate getting their taxes off their shoulders—and that certainly ups your risk of being involved in a wreck.
While most people now e-file their tax returns (about 90%), there are still people who prefer to mail them—especially if their returns are extremely complex, they’re dealing with special circumstances, or they just distrust online systems—and that means there is increased traffic before the 11:59 p.m. deadline. Adding to concerns, drivers may be out on unfamiliar streets trying to find a post office open to accommodate their needs.
If you are a person who will be mailing your tax forms this year, get to the post office as early as possible, and be extra cautious as you head there. Stay alert and ready for anything—even if you aren’t personally sleep deprived or overly stressed. If you are someone who has mailed your forms in early or taken the e-filing route, don’t relax too much yet. The increase in tax season crashes can still affect you as you share the road with your fellow Americans who are struggling with the same deadline.
As the 2026 filing deadline approaches, take precautions to avoid crashes, consider driving only when necessary, and if you are not emotionally or mentally able to focus on your driving, stay off the road or give your keys to someone else. If you are in a wreck, come to one of our 19 Accident & Injury clinics near you. We can do this!