A quick trip to the store. Dropping off a friend. Grabbing takeout just a few blocks away. These are the kinds of casual, low-effort drives that most of us take for granted. But despite their short distance, these routine outings often carry hidden risks.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a significant percentage of traffic fatalities occur within 25 miles of home, with many crashes taking place within just five miles. This statistic might surprise drivers who believe longer, high-speed highway trips are more dangerous.
So why do so many fatal crashes happen near home? And what can drivers do to stay alert on even the most familiar roads?
The biggest factor is complacency. Familiarity can create a false sense of security. When people drive roads they’ve used for years, their level of focus often drops. They may coast through stop signs, ignore changing traffic patterns, or multitask behind the wheel. In short, they relax their guard, exactly when they shouldn’t.
Driving close to home also typically means shorter travel times. Drivers may skip seatbelts or neglect mirrors because “it’s just a five-minute drive.” These small lapses in routine can become major liabilities in the event of a crash.
Data also shows that many people let their guard down at the start or end of a drive, which often happens near home. Distractions from mobile phones, adjusting music, or thinking about dinner plans can take precedence over paying attention to pedestrians or cyclists.
This issue doesn’t only affect teenagers or distracted drivers. Research shows that drivers of all ages are more likely to be involved in a collision within a short radius of their home.
Older adults often take shorter trips near home due to mobility or convenience, yet they face increased injury risks in crashes due to frailty. Meanwhile, young drivers may overestimate their ability to multitask or handle surprises on the road, particularly in neighborhoods with frequent stop signs, school zones, or parked vehicles.
Urban drivers face different risks than rural ones. In dense cities, more time is spent stopping and starting at intersections, where a high number of crashes occur. In rural areas, even a short trip to the next town could involve high speeds or limited visibility.
But across the board, the majority of fatal crashes still occur on roads drivers use most frequently, regardless of geography. It’s not the trip itself; it’s the overconfidence many drivers bring to those short, everyday drives.
Preventing these crashes doesn’t require dramatic changes, just a return to basic driving safety, even on short trips:
These actions might seem small, but they could be the difference between a routine drive and a tragic outcome.
According to Attorney Stephen Bridger from Phoenix, Arizona, “The most dangerous crashes are often the ones we least expect. It’s the routine trips, where people feel most comfortable, that can result in devastating consequences when drivers let their guard down.”
Stephen Bridger is a lawyer based in Phoenix, currently employed at the Pinal County Prosecutor’s Office. As a state prosecutor, he represents the state in criminal cases and works to hold dangerous drivers accountable. He does not provide legal advice or represent individuals in court.
