Drive Safe This Memorial Day Weekend

Yes!  Summer is finally here, and you’re ready to pack up your car and head to your closets shore point.  Before you pack that speedo and hop onto the highway–you need to remember to drive safely.  This coming holiday weekend is one of the deadliest traveling holidays during the year, and the statistics don’t lie.  You don’t want to be another tragic number this Memorial Day Weekend. The Memorial Day holiday weekend begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 25, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 28th.  In 2011, AAA estimated 32.1 million travelers on the Memorial Day weekend, which was a significant increase over the 5.4% travel volume in 2009.  AAA also found that 87% of the Memorial Day weekend travel occurs in automobiles.  Which means that 28 million people hit the road on this particular holiday weekend.  In fact, INRIX estimates this year’s Memorial Day traffic will increase by 4% this year. The National Safety Council has already estimated the traffic damage for the holiday weekend.  What do they predict?  Well, they believe there will be 420 traffic fatalities with an added 42,000 projected medically consulted injuries. On the plus side, the NSC believes that 149 lives will be saved due to seat belts–but don’t hold your breath.  Another 107 lives could be saved if everyone wore a seat belt.  So, wear your seat belt! Don’t just brush off these statistics as a one time prediction.  The NSC has been calculating Memorial Day traffic statistics over the past six years, and found that fatalities from crashes during the Memorial Day holiday period make up 12.86% of the total fatalities in the month of May. Over the past six years, the average number of traffic deaths during the Memorial Day holiday weekend was also 13.1% higher than the average number of traffic deaths in the month of May.  This means the risks on the road during this particular holiday weekend is 5% greater than any other weekend in May.  The  amount of traffic fatalities in May is about 2,921 to 3,421. The proposed fraction of traffic fatalities for the Memorial Day holiday weekend is 12.26% to 13.47%, which means an estimate of 358 to 461 traffic deaths.

  If these statistics aren’t enough to get you worried about holiday traffic safety–never fear.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will also run its “Click It or Ticket” campaign from May 21 to June 3.  The “Click It or Ticket” campaign has contributed to increasing the use of safety belts across the country. During this campaign, law enforcement will execute a zero-tolerance enforcement of safety belt laws. Of course, we’re not telling you to cancel your holiday plans.  We still want you to have a wonderful weekend, but remember to be safe.  When traveling this Memorial Day Weekend, here are a few helpful tips that will make your travels as safe as any other weekend.:

• Don’t text a drive.  In fact, you should never be texting and driving at the same time– but this weekend is even more dangerous.
• Children under the age of 12 should be in the back seat at all times.
• Allow yourself plenty of travel time to avoid headaches and the urge to speed.
• Drive defensively–especially in bad weather.
• Avoid driving drowsy.
• Always have a designated driver.
• Friday will be the busiest getaway day, and the afternoon rush hour period will start as early as 1 p.m.  Traffic congestion will peak between one to two hours earlier than usual.
• To avoid delays by leaving before noon or after 6 p.m. on Friday evening to avoid traffic nightmares.
• Monday afternoon will be the busiest return day.  The busiest time to be on the roads will be between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

S0 enjoy your Memorial Day holiday weekend!  Remember to stay safe on the roads, and have lots of fun in the sun.