Itasca, IL - The National Safety Council (NSC) announced today that it estimates that 476 people may die in traffic crashes this Memorial Day holiday weekend. In addition, the NSC estimates that 24,700 people may suffer nonfatal disabling injuries in traffic crashes during the holiday weekend.
Safety belts play an important role in surviving motor vehicle crashes. The NSC estimates that 376 people may survive crashes this holiday weekend because they will be wearing safety belts. However, the NSC also estimates that an additional 121 lives could be saved if all drivers and passengers wore safety belts.
The NSC issues fatality estimates for major holiday periods to draw attention to the serious issue of motor vehicle injuries and deaths. This year's Memorial Day weekend officially begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 28 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 31. In 2003, the NSC estimated that 464 people would die in traffic crashes over the Memorial Day holiday. The actual number of fatalities is not yet available. In 2002, the NSC estimated that 498 people would die in traffic crashes over the Memorial Day holiday. The actual number was 484.
Memorial Day is the beginning of the summer travel season when many take to the road for vacations or weekend trips. It also marks the annual Memorial Day "Click it or Ticket" Mobilization, conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and supported by the Air Bag and Seat Belt Safety Campaign of the NSC. More than 12,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide will vigorously enforce drunk driving, seat belt and child restraint laws throughout the holiday weekend.
As the Memorial Day holiday period ends next week, the national focus will turn to crash prevention during National Safety Month in June. The U.S. Senate has issued a proclamation designating June as "Crash-Free June", recognizing the serious problem of motor vehicle deaths in America. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury death in America, with more than 43,000 people dying in crashes last year. The Crash-Free June campaign is focused on educating Americans about the behaviors that cause crashes - alcohol use, speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, drowsy driving, failure to yield and additional dangerous behaviors common to young drivers and passengers ages 16-24. For more information about Crash-Free June and how people can change their driving behaviors, visit the National Safety Month website.
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. Members of NSC include more than 45,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913, and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953, the primary focus of the NSC is preventing injuries that occur in workplaces, homes, communities and motor vehicles. For more information about the NSC, visit the website at www.nsc.org or contact your local NSC chapter.
For Immediate Release, May 27, 2004
Media Contact: National Safety Council 630-775-2307 media@nsc.org
