Staying alert and driving defensively could help prevent some of the 395 motor vehicle-related deaths and 47,800 serious injuries the National Safety Council estimates will occur over the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
“Making smart decisions could be the difference between a relaxing long weekend and one spent in the emergency room,” Deborah A.P. Hersman, NSC president and CEO, said in a press release.
Eighty-seven percent of these lives could be saved if safety belts are worn. NSC offers additional tips for staying safe on the road, including:
- Designate an alcohol- and drug-free driver or arrange alternate transportation.
- Get plenty of sleep before driving and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.
- Never use a cell phone – handheld or hands-free – behind the wheel.
- Don’t allow teens to drive with their friends. A single young passenger can increase a teen driver’s risk of a fatal crash 44 percent, according to Johns Hopkins University.
