The official end to summer is upon us with Labor Day approaching. While many of us are looking forward to the long weekend, the holiday itself is a part of the 100 deadliest days on the road. Unfortunately, the most dangerous part of the Labor Day weekend is due to drunk driving.
The National Safety Council (NSC) stated that between 388 – 493 people die over the Labor Day weekend every year. This number accounts for 12% of all fatalities in the month of September. There are an estimated 50,300 individuals who will also be injured in car accidents with non-fatal injuries during Labor Day weekend.
Major Causes of Car Accidents
In 2015, Labor Day weekend saw 460 crash fatalities nationwide and 40% of these crashes involved drunk drivers. Of the alcohol-related fatal crashes, one-third (33%) involved drunk drivers (.08+ BAC) and nearly one-fourth (23%) of the accidents involved drivers who were operating their vehicle with a BAC of almost twice the legal limit. It has also been found that nighttime is the most dangerous time to drive over Labor Day weekend with 78% of drunk-driving fatalities occurring between 6:00 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.
Tips to Avoid Car Accidents Over Labor Day
If you plan to drive over the Labor Day holiday weekend, here are a few safety suggestions to keep you, and others, safe on the road:
- Wear A Seat Belt
- Drive Sober: even if you only have one alcoholic drink, it is not smart to drive. Have a designated driver or utilize a ride-sharing service such as Uber or Lyft.
- Drive Awake: drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of serious injury accidents. Prevent drowsy driving by developing good sleep habits (at least 7 hours each night), get treatment for sleep disorders, and avoid alcohol or medications that may make you drowsy.
- Keep Your Eyes On The Road: many activities can contribute to distracted driving, such as texting, eating, or talking on the phone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at 55 mph, the average text takes enough time to cover the length of an entire football field.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
Labor Day weekend should be a time to celebrate and relax with friends and family members. If you plan on driving or riding in a vehicle (short or long distance), we ask you to do so responsibly in order to avoid car accidents. At Kaine Law we are dedicated to assisting those who have been injured from the negligence and misconduct of others. On behalf of all of us, have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend!
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
