NSC to drivers: Take control of your safety this July 4
Itasca, IL — The National Safety Council is estimating that 565 people may be killed, and an additional 64,500 may be seriously injured, in motor vehicle crashes during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday period.
“As we celebrate one of our country’s most cherished holidays, we have to keep safety in mind,” Lorraine M. Martin, president and CEO of NSC, said in a June 24 press release. “Sober and attentive driving could be the difference between watching fireworks and watching ambulance lights.”
To ensure a safer holiday weekend, drivers should:
- Drive defensively. Buckle up, designate a sober driver or arrange alternative transportation, get plenty of sleep to avoid fatigue, and drive attentively, avoiding distractions.
- Recognize the dangers of drugged driving, including impairment from opioids.
- Stay engaged in teens’ driving habits.
- Look before you lock a vehicle to ensure no child is left in the back seat. At least 11 kids have died in hot cars this year.
- Learn about your vehicle’s safety systems and how to use them.
- Fix recalls immediately. Before you hit the road, visit ChecktoProtect.org to ensure your vehicle does not have an open recall.