Itasca, IL – The National Safety Council is reminding drivers to buckle up and drive sober during the Labor Day weekend, a deadly time on America’s roadways. From 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 6, NSC estimates there will be 368 traffic fatalities and an additional 19,900 nonfatal disabling injuries.

Safety belt use is the most effective protection against serious crash injuries. Studies show safety belts reduce the risk of crash injuries by 45 percent. NSC estimates 281 lives will be saved this Labor Day weekend because people wore safety belts, and an additional 96 lives could be saved if all people buckled up.

To address impaired driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a National Impaired Driving Crackdown from Aug. 20 through Sept. 6.

Learn more about the holiday traffic estimates.

The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy.