News Release

Labor Day weekend traffic fatalities and disabling injuries

Itasca, IL – The National Safety Council today released its estimates for traffic crashes for the upcoming Labor Day weekend which begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, and ends midnight, Monday, Sept. 4.

The Council estimates 533 traffic fatalities over the holiday weekend and another 27,700 disabling injuries from motor vehicle collisions. The Council also estimates that 454 people will survive the Labor Day holiday because they will be wearing seatbelts and that another 128 lives could be saved if all wore safety belts.

For the past six years, the Labor Day weekend has averaged 12 percent more traffic fatalities than similar non-holiday periods. This difference is statistically significant.

The National Safety Council issues fatality estimates for major holiday periods to draw attention to the need for rivers to exercise safe driving practices especially when a significant number of drivers are expected to be traveling on our roads and highways.

To ensure a safe Labor Day weekend, the National Safety Council recommends drivers:

• Never mix alcohol with driving.
• Establish and enforce a driver’s distraction-free zone, especially in cars equipped with electronic devices including cell phones, video games and global positioning systems.
• Make sure all passengers are buckled up and children are in age-appropriate safety seats.
• Allow plenty of travel time to avoid frustration and diminish the impulse to speed.
• Drive defensively and exercise caution especially during inclement weather.

About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization. Members of the NSC include businesses, labor organization, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953, the National Safety Council is committed to preventing accidental injuries in the workplace, on roads and highways, and in homes and communities.