Don’t Be One of 400 Labor Day Roadway Deaths: the NSC Gives Tips on How to Have a Safe Holiday
NSC estimates 398 people will be killed in roadway accidents during the upcoming, three-day holiday.
The National Safety Council (NSC) reminds Americans to drive safely this coming Labor Day weekend to prevent an estimated 398 deaths and another 45,300 serious injuries on U.S. roadways during the holiday period. Between Friday, Aug. 30 and Monday, Sept. 2, people will be traveling and having fun to ring in the unofficial end of summer.
The NSC’s estimate for this Labor Day weekend is the lowest it’s been since 2015, mirroring an overall downward trend in fatalities by three percent through the first six months of 2019 compared to the same time frame of 2018.
Because many roadways will be highly trafficked and people will be celebrating the long weekend, the NSC reminds people that it’s important to drive defensively, sober, and alert – especially since one third of all fatal crashes involve alcohol-impaired drivers or motorcycle riders.
The NSC provides the following tips for Labor Day traveling:
- Recognize the dangers of drugged driving, including impairment from cannabis and opioids. Visit nsc.org/rxpainkillers to understand the impact of the nation’s opioid crisis.
- Stay engaged in teens’ driving habits. Visit DriveitHOME.org for resources.
- Learn about your vehicle’s safety systems and how to use them. Visit MyCarDoesWhat.org for information.
- Fix recalls immediately. Visit ChecktoProtect.org to ensure your vehicle does not have an open recall.
- Ask lawmakers and state leaders to protect travelers on state roadways. The NSC State of Safety report shows which states have the strongest and weakest traffic safety laws.
- Get involved in the Road to Zero Coalition, a group of more than 900 organizations across the country focused on eliminating roadway deaths by 2050. Visit nsc.org/roadtozero to join.
More data on traffic-related fatality estimates can be found here.