Though a decline compared to last year's
estimate, more than 400 people may lose their life in a preventable
crash this upcoming weekend
WASHINGTON, May 20, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- While this upcoming weekend unofficially marks the
end of spring, it also kicks off a series of dangerous summer
holiday periods; the first being Memorial Day. This year, 418
people may die in a motor vehicle crash over the Memorial Day
holiday period, which begins Friday, May
24 at 6 p.m. and concludes at
11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 27.
According to National Safety Council analysis, this estimate is an
11% decrease compared to last year's and comes just a week after
more than 170 traffic safety advocates descended upon Capitol Hill
to meet with federal legislators during Infrastructure Week to urge
for the prioritization of safety in the next reauthorization of the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
"Infrastructure that supports a Safe System Approach is key to
improving our roadways and advocating for it, as we did last week
in Washington, can have great
impact," said Mark Chung, executive
vice president of roadway practice at NSC. "There's no question
infrastructure plays a significant role in traffic safety, but so
does driver behavior. This coming holiday weekend and always, NSC
calls on all road users to put safety first to prevent crashes and
save lives."
At a press conference on Capitol Hill last week, NSC
released new survey findings revealing adults in the
U.S. are concerned about their safety and the safety of family and
friends on the roads, which makes staying safe even more personal.
Drivers can share the road responsibly by following these safety
tips:
- Prepare before you go: Before hitting the road,
make sure your car is safe for driving. Vehicle owners should check
the oil, put air in the tires, and check for and repair open
recalls. Visit ChecktoProtect.org to see if your vehicle
has an open recall, and get it repaired for free.
- Buckle up: Lack of seat belt use is a top cause of
fatalities in crashes. Buckle up, while also making sure you
have appropriate car seats installed correctly.
- Designate a sober driver or arrange alternate
transportation: Holidays are a cause for celebration, but
alcohol is only one cause of impaired driving. Drugs, including
opioids, marijuana and some over-the-counter medicines, can cause
drowsiness, alter visual functions and affect mental judgment and
motor skills.
- Slow down: Speeding is a factor in more than
a quarter of all traffic fatalities. Drive the speed limit or
below it if conditions dictate. Be sure to pay close attention to
those walking and biking in order to keep all road users safe.
- Drive distraction-free: Thousands have died in car
crashes involving cell phone use. Put your phones away and
#JustDrive.
- Look before you lock: Pediatric vehicular
heatstroke is still the leading cause of non-crash motor
vehicle-related fatality for children. In 2023, 29 children in
the U.S. are reported to have died because of this completely
preventable tragedy. Always check your back seat for children or
animals when you reach your destination.
- Demand safer roads and safer speeds: Join
the Road to Zero Coalition to learn about the Safe System
approach on road safety. Elements of safer roads include rumble
strips, protected bicycle lanes, clearly marked crosswalks,
roundabouts and much more. Roadway design influences motor vehicle
speed, which has profound implications on crash severity for all
road users.
Review supplemental information about the Memorial Day holiday
fatality estimates and additional motor vehicle data and research
at injuryfacts.nsc.org.
About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is America's leading nonprofit safety
advocate – and has been for 110 years. As a mission-based
organization, we work to eliminate the leading causes of
preventable death and injury, focusing our efforts on the
workplace, roadway and impairment. We create a culture of safety to
not only keep people safer at work, but also beyond the workplace
so they can live their fullest lives.
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SOURCE National Safety Council