Thinkstock
Image

Don't Be One of the 400 Predicted to Die on the Roads this Labor Day

Sept. 2, 2015
Defensive driving can make all the difference this Labor Day, as thousands of families hit the road for the long weekend.

The National Safety Council estimates 395 people will be killed and another 47,800 will be seriously injured in car crashes during the upcoming Labor Day holiday period, which begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7.

“Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer as families celebrate a last holiday before they fall back into a regular school and work routine,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “But save the reverie for the backyard BBQs. When you are on the roads, be alert and drive defensively. Making smart decisions could be the difference between a relaxing long weekend and one spent in the emergency room.”

The three-day period falls in the midst of what could be the most deadly year on our roads since 2007. The National Safety Council estimates overall traffic deaths are up 14 percent through the first six months of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014. Serious injuries are up 30 percent.

 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 87 percent of vehicle occupants wear seat belts. The 13 percent of drivers and passengers who do not wear belts accounted for 44.7 percent of fatalities in 2014, according to NHTSA. An estimated 150 lives may be saved this Labor Day holiday because of seat belts.

In addition to recommending buckling up every trip, every time – even when traveling a short distance – the NSC also offers these tips to ensure a safer Labor Day holiday:

  • Designate an alcohol- and drug-free driver or arrange alternate transportation.
  • Get plenty of sleep and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.
  • Never use a cell phone behind the wheel, even hands-free.
  • Do not allow teens to drive with their friends. A single young passenger can increase a teen driver’s fatal crash risk 44 percent.
  • Learn about your vehicle’s safety systems such as adaptive cruise controls, blind spot warning systems and backup cameras and how to use them. 

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

Sponsored Recommendations

Committing to Safety: Why Leadership’s Role in Safety Excellence is Key

Jan. 13, 2025
Leadership has the power to transform an organization through their behavior and vision, which can result in the creation of an organizational culturethat supports safety excellence...

Speak Up! Cementing "See Something, Say Something" to Drive Safety

Jan. 13, 2025
Many organizations promote "see something, say something" to encourage their people to intervene and make work safe. But most don't go far enough to equip teams with the skills...

The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease

Jan. 13, 2025
DEKRA announces its latest white paper, “The Truth and Challenges of Cultivating Chronic Unease,” as a definitive look into why being vulnerable to incidents strengthens our commitment...

Mitigating Risks: Strategies for Safeguarding Workers in Hazardous Workplaces

Jan. 13, 2025
Join our expert team in taking on the challenge to make safety part of your organization’s DNA as work, the workforce, and workplaces evolve.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!