Safety Tips for Drivers this Memorial Day Weekend
One of the most dangerous driving weekends of the year is approaching. The National Safety Council estimates 415 people may die on the roads during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. Following a year with increased motor vehicle fatality rates across the country, NSC urges all Americans to plan ahead and practice defensive driving over the long weekend, which begins at 6 p.m. Friday, May 24, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 27.
“Many people choose to travel by car, which has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per miles traveled,” said Mark Chung, vice president, of roadway practice at NSC. “As family and friends gather for the holiday, we not only call on everyone to spend time together safely during the ongoing pandemic, we also ask you to do your part to ensure you and your loved ones get to your destinations safely.”
- Prepare before you go: Before hitting the road, make sure your truck is safe for driving. You should do your pre-trip before leaving the yard and after switching out trailers if you’re doing a bump.
- Drive distraction-free: Thousands have died in crashes involving cell phone use. Put your phones away and just drive.
- Slow down: Speeding is a factor in more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities. Drive the speed limit and do not exceed it. Be sure to pay attention to those walking and biking in order to keep all road users safe.
- Buckle up: Seat belts are estimated to have saved 374,276 lives. Buckle up, while also making sure you have appropriate car seats installed correctly.
- School’s out for summer: Watch out for an increase in children on our side streets!
