NSC predicts ‘deadliest Memorial Day weekend since 2009’

An estimated 439 people may be killed and an additional 50,500 might be seriously injured on the roadways over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the National Safety Council says.

This would be the deadliest Memorial Day weekend since 2009, when 462 people were killed, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

To help stay safe on the roads, NSC recommends:

• Making sure every passenger buckles up. NSC estimates that 104 people could be saved over the Memorial Day weekend if they wear safety belts.
• Designating an alcohol- and drug-free driver, or arranging alternate transportation.
• Getting plenty of sleep and taking regular breaks to avoid fatigue on long trips.
• Never using a cell phone – even hands-free – behind the wheel.

“As Americans gear up for the most carefree months of the year, we cannot take our safety for granted,” Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of NSC, said in a press release. “Driving is one of the riskiest things we do every day. Engaging our defensive driving skills and staying alert can mean the difference between attending cookouts and family parties or spending the evening at the emergency room or worse.”