From 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 6, the National Safety Council estimates there will be 368 traffic fatalities and an additional 19,900 nonfatal disabling injuries. More people will be on the road travelling during Labor Day weekend than last year, so road safety is even more important.
Labor Day is about sun, food, fun and more than likely, alcohol. Drunk drivers cause so many traffic accidents and fatalities, that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a National Impaired Driving Crackdown from Aug. 20 through Sept. 6. Remember, stay alive - don’t drink and drive!
Have everyone in the car wear a safety belt. If you think spending time in traffic is bad, imagine the extra time it would take for a cop to pull you over and ticket you for every violation. Not to mention, seatbelts have reduced the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent in the U.S.. If you still need more encouragement, watch this powerful seatbelt public safety announcement.
Get your vehicle ready for the road, especially if you’re travelling far. Here’s a checklist:
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated.
• Use your cell phone with caution. Over half of states in the U.S. prohibit the use of cell phones by drivers unless the driver is using a hands-free device or making an emergency call.
• Watch your gas gauge. To save fuel, take direct routes, minimize side trips and keep a steady speed. A well-tuned engine, properly inflated tires and reduced speed can result in noticeable fuel savings.
*Content expressed in Home Security Source does not represent the thoughts and opinions of ADT Security Services, Inc. unless explicitly indicated.