Show Thanks by Being Safe

Thanksgiving is a good time to appreciate safe drivers – those who take to the road sober, always buckle up, are mindful of their speed and road conditions, and drive defensively. The National Safety Council reminds drivers that Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day is a period of increased traffic risk, as road travel increases along with the prevalence of impaired driving.

The average number of traffic fatalities during the six most recent Thanksgiving holiday periods has been about 9 percent higher than similar non-holiday periods.

During the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday period, beginning Wednesday at 6 p.m. and concluding Sunday at midnight, NSC estimates there will be 479 traffic fatalities and 25,900 non-fatal traffic injuries. The Council further estimates that 408 lives may be saved during the Thanksgiving holiday because people will wear seat belts and an additional 115 lives could be saved if all people wore seat belts while on the road.

Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect passengers and reduce fatalities in crashes. The NSC urges Thanksgiving drivers to buckle up, never drive impaired and use special caution after dark. Of the 457 people who died in motor vehicle crashes during the 2006 Thanksgiving holiday period, 188 crashes were in daylight and 266 at night. Seat belt use is lower in the night time, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).