Hey, slow down, buddy! Apparently, it’s not only blood pressures rising around Tax Day: speeds are increasing, too.
A research letter in the most recent edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, April 11, 2012—Vol 307, No. 14, paid registration required) indicated that Tax Day isn’t such a good day to be on the road. Researchers Donald A. Redelmeier, MD, FRCPC, MS (HSR), and Christopher J. Yarnell, AB, investigated the number of individuals involved in a fatal road crash on Tax Day and found that car crash-related deaths rose around Tax Day by about 6%. That adds up to about 13 extra fatalities on Tax Day.
An increase in risk varied for different regions, locations, hours, and sex. Who’s most likely to be involved in a car-related accident on Tax Day? The research indicated that the “modal person was a young adult man driving in a rural location.” Statistically, those in the western part of the country had an elevated risk according to the data. Who’s most safe on Tax Day? Overall, adults older than 65 years old had a decreased risk of accident.
It turns out that researchers found that the chances of being involved in a crash on Tax Day are similar to your chances of being in a crash on Super Bowl Sunday. So what gives?
One suggested explanation was stress. A recent Gallup Poll indicated that, in 2011, the second most stressful day of the year was April 18, the tax deadline for the 2010 tax year. The only day said to be more stressful that year was April 27, when tornadoes ripped through the South, flattening towns and killing more than 300 people.
It’s also been suggested that alcohol might play a part though there doesn’t seem to be any data to back up that supposition. That said, lots of hotels and restaurants do offer drink specials (I’ll be posting about some of them in a few days) to help ease taxpayers through Tax Day. And even Oprah admits to taking a shot of tequila when she signs her taxes.
Drivers might also be taking routes they don’t normally take: swinging by their tax preparer’s office or popping by the post office. New routes and driving patterns could contribute to the likelihood of making a mistake.
Other potential reasons for extra classes might include lack of sleep and irritability. But then, a lot of taxpayers have those on a good day.
Here’s my advice. Take a breath. Slow down. It’s a tax return. Yes, it’s important but it’s not worth dying for… This is why it makes sense to have a professional tax preparer do your return (they can do the worrying for you) or consider e-filing (no need to get in the car at all). And if you’re running behind, consider an extension. It’s free and easy and buys you a little time (though remember that it only extends the time to file, not the time to pay).
If you must get in a car on Tax Day, wear a seatbelt (*clears throat in a mom -ike manner*) and don’t drink and drive: take a bus or subway, use a cab or convince a friend to be your designated drive (be sure to buy them dinner as a thank you).
Tax Day is stressful enough. Don’t make it worse for your loved ones.
