(Image source: Wikimedia Commons )

 

BY DAVID EARL

 

The saying goes something like this … nothing in life is certain except death and taxes. And on tax day, a new study points out, death and taxes go hand-in-hand. Here’s KCBS...

 

“There is a definitive link between tax day and deadly car crashes. An average of 13 more people died on tax days than in crashes two weeks before and two weeks after the deadline.”

 

Here’s what researchers from the Journal of the American Medical Association blamed for the findings.

 

“…stressful deadlines distract drivers and contribute to human error … Another might be alcohol … Driving patterns may be altered on tax day. Additional reasons might include sleep deprivation, inadvertent inattention, and less tolerance of hassles.”

 

And if you’re really worried about this six percent spike in road deaths on tax day, Bloomberg breaks down who is most at risk …

 

“The increase was biggest in the West, and the increases typically happen in the morning, before noon 10 percent, much more than in the afternoon.”

 

But is it possible that all this is just one big coincidence? NPR examines the possibility.

 

“That’s possible, but it doesn’t look like one. The researchers sliced and diced the data all sorts of ways, and the trend held up. The researchers say it’s probably worth some public health campaigns to remind people about driving safely on Tax Day. You could also file early or electronically and just stay home.”

 

So … Tax Day leads to stress, stress leads to car crashes. Not good. But CBS News has some helpful tips for getting through the most stressful day of the year.

 

“Try simple relaxation techniques, such as counting back from 100, taking deep breaths or going for a walk. If people still feel extreme stress while managing money, they should seek professional help.”

 

If you’d like to stay off the road this upcoming tax day … here’s your friendly reminder: Tax Day 2012 is on Tuesday April 17.