The National Safety Council (NSC) recently released its estimates for traffic crashes for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend, which begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 25. The Council estimates 420 traffic fatalities and another 42,000 medically consulted injuries will occur over the traditional summer kick-off weekend from motor vehicle collisions. NSC also estimates 149 people may survive the Memorial Day holiday weekend because they will be wearing safety belts, and another 107 lives could be saved if all people wore safety belts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s "Click It or Ticket" is the most successful safety belt enforcement campaign ever and has contributed to increasing national safety belt usage rates. To ensure a safe Memorial Day weekend, we remind drivers the following:
•Refrain from all cell phone use behind the wheel
•Make sure all passengers are buckled up and children are in age-appropriate safety seats
•All children 12 and under should always be in the back seat
•Allow plenty of travel time to avoid frustration and diminish the impulse to speed
•Drive defensively and exercise caution, especially during inclement weather
•Avoid driving while drowsy
•Designate a “non-drinking” driver — even moderate consumption of alcohol impairs reaction time and driving judgment.