Stay Safe and Watch Out on the Roads this Labor Day Weekend
Protect yourself and loved ones by addressing roadway risks September 3-6.
- By Shereen Hashem
- Aug 26, 2021
Labor Day weekend is right around the corner, and that means the roads will be full of all sorts of drivers. The National Safety Council (NSC) encourages everyone to consider themselves and others’ safety while behind the wheel this holiday. Labor day is one of the most dangerous driving periods of the year.
According to a press release, the NSC estimates that more than 460 people may die on the roads this upcoming Labor Day weekend. The holiday fatality estimate is 19 percent higher than the 2020 Labor Day estimate of 390. Following a year of increased motor vehicle fatality rates across the country, NSC urges all Americans to proactively maintain the condition of their vehicles and practice safe driving.
Important safety precautions to make sure to follow include: limiting distractions when driving, driving the speed limit, wearing a seatbelt, not driving impaired, checking the oil level and inflating vehicle tires to appropriate levels. Checking for safety recalls is also necessary as well as scheduling repairs as soon as possible.
“During this late-summer season, Americans will be driving at an increased rate, so it’s important to make sure the vehicle you’re driving is as safe as possible,” said Mark Chung, vice president, roadway practice at NSC. “We encourage everyone to take two minutes this week to check their vehicles for recalls. You may not know if you or your loved ones are at risk until you check.”
In the United States, more than 50 million vehicles have un-repaired safety recalls, many involving defective parts that can pose serious risks to drivers or passengers. According to the NHTSA, more than 13.5 million airbags in the U.S. are defective and need to be repaired. When exposed to the high heat and humidity that many states experience during a crash, pieces of metal can exert from the airbag, injuring the passenger severely or even killing him/her.
Review additional information about Labor Day fatality estimates, motor vehicle data, research and more here.
About the Author
Shereen Hashem is the Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine.