395 people may be killed over Labor Day weekend, NSC estimates

September 2, 2015

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.