Tax day shows increase in traffic fatalities

April 10, 2012 (WLS) -- Waiting until the last minute to file you taxes could be hazardous to your health.

New research analyzing 30 years of car crash data shows traffic fatalities increase on tax day.

Compared with other days in April, researchers found an average of 13 more deaths on tax day which usually falls on April 15.

Victims include drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

Researchers suggest stressing over taxes might distract motorists and contribute to human error.

Or there may just be more motorists on the road that day, which could boost the death rate.

The study appears in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.

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healthbeat, sylvia perez

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