An analysis of Election Day traffic deaths dating back to Jimmy Carter's 1976 win says on average, 24 more people die in car crashes during voting hours on presidential election days than on other October and November Tuesdays. That amounts to an 18 percent increased risk of death. And compared with non-election days, an additional 800 people suffered disabling injuries. Rushing to get to the polls before or after work, driving on unfamiliar routes, and being distracted by pondering the candidates were among possible reasons cited by the study's Canadian researchers.