Itasca, IL — Estimating that 390 people could be killed and more than 44,000 seriously injured in motor vehicle-related crashes during the upcoming Labor Day weekend, the National Safety Council is urging people to drive defensively and designate a sober driver.
The holiday weekend begins at 6 p.m. on Sept. 4 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 7. “Travel during holiday weekends always is risky, and this year our roads haven’t been safe even when traffic has been light,” NSC President and CEO Lorraine M. Martin said in an Aug. 25 press release. “We hope drivers take these figures as a reminder to slow down, pay attention and drive like their lives depend on it, because they do.”
Other tips from the council:
- Practice defensive driving and buckle up. If you decide not to designate a sober driver, arrange for alternative transportation.
- Get plenty of sleep to avoid fatigue and drive attentively, avoiding distractions.
- Recognize the dangers of drugged driving, including impairment from cannabis and opioids.
- Stay engaged in teens’ driving habits.
- Learn about your vehicle’s safety systems and how to use them.
- Make sure your car is safe, and have recalls fixed immediately.
- Encouraged your employer to join the Road to Zero Coalition, a 1,500-member group committed to eliminating roadway deaths by 2050.
