According to the National Safety Council the estimate for traffic fatalities on the Memorial Weekend holiday period is 409 deaths and 47,000 seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents. The three-day holiday period begins at 6 p.m. ET Friday, May 26 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET Monday, May 29.
Memorial Day is a holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military and many Americans observe this day by visiting cemeteries or memorials and participating in parades. It also marks the start of summer and is considered to be a time to hold family gatherings and spend time with family and friends.
“More people will get away this Memorial Day weekend than have in the past 12 years, with 39.3 million U.S. travelers expected to take to the road, skies, rails and water, according to a forecast released Wednesday from auto club AAA.”
So while you’re heading to your favorite destinations consider these safety driving tips NSC for Memorial Weekend.
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Buckle Up
Wear a seat belt on every trip. About 159 lives may be saved during the holiday with seat belt use, according to the NSC.
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Use Child Safety Seats
Make sure children are restrained in safety seats that are appropriate for their height, age and weight.
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Assign a Designated Driver
Designate an alcohol and drug-free driver or arrange alternate transportation. Impairment begins with the first drink.
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Take Breaks While Traveling
Get plenty of sleep and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.
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Don’t Get Distracted
Never use a cell phone behind the wheel, even hands-free.
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Don’t Let Teens Drive
Do not allow teens to drive with their friends. A single young passenger can increase a teen driver’s fatal crash risk 44 percent, the NSC estimates.
Have a safe Memorial Weekend!
