Safety

Buckle Up and Drive Sober This Thanksgiving

Nov. 25, 2009

Thanksgiving is among the deadliest holidays on the road for alcohol-related crashes. The National Safety Council (NSC) urges drivers to stay safe by buckling up and driving sober this holiday weekend.

Laura Walter

NSC estimated there will be 447 traffic fatalities and 23,700 nonfatal disabling injuries this holiday weekend. According to NSC, 484 people died in crashes over the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday period.

Seat belts are the most effective protection against serious injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent. NSC estimates seat belts may save 395 lives this Thanksgiving weekend. NSC further estimates 103 additional lives could be spared this weekend if all drivers and passengers wore seat belts.

NSC encourages drivers to be cautious, alert and responsible while driving. Insist your passengers buckle up. Drivers weaving, making wide turns, stopping abruptly or responding slowly to traffic signals may be impaired. If you notice a driver who may be impaired, pull over to a safe location and notify the police.

For more tips on driving safely and defensively, visit http://www.nsc.org.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.