According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Labor Day weekend is one of the deadliest holiday weekends in the United States. The Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays aren’t much different either. The simple fact is that driving on any summer holiday is considerably more dangerous than any ordinary weekend.
The 2017 Labor Day Weekend Estimates
The National Safety Council estimates that about 400 people will die as a result of motor vehicle collisions over the 2017 Labor Day weekend. Nearly 50,000 others will be seeking medical care for injuries that they suffered in crashes. The official time frame for the holiday weekend is from Friday at 6:00 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Monday night. That comes out to 3.25 days long. The 2017 death estimates are the highest estimates since 2008.
Alcohol and Drugs
The increased risk of holiday traffic fatalities correlates with increased consumption of alcohol and marijuana that comes with back yard cookouts and parties. Other people might be on road trips over the long weekend. Some people might just be going about their daily routines.
Drive Defensively
If you plan on consuming more than a beer or a glass of wine over any holiday that’s celebrated away from home, plan on a designated driver. If you’re going to be behind the wheel, make a conscious effort at driving defensively, and make sure that everybody in your vehicle is seat belted. The little ones must in appropriate car seats too. You also need to avoid distractions like phone calls, texting or using navigational devices while on the road.
The nation’s economy is humming, and gasoline prices have come down considerably. Those are two other factors that put people on the road for Labor Day weekend. If you or somebody close to you was injured, or if a family member was killed over this past Labor Day weekend, don’t hesitate to contact James W. Sutton, III, Attorney-at-Law right away to arrange for a free case consultation. There’s no obligation to you, and no legal fees would even be due unless we obtain a settlement or verdict. Americans are hard workers. Labor Day was established as a celebration of that hard work. Whether it’s Labor Day or any other holiday, enjoy them all safely.
