Labor Day Accidents

August 26, 2016 By

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The National Safety Council (NSC) predicts that this year’s Labor Day weekend will be the deadliest on U.S. roads in eight years.

The organization estimates that there will be more than 50,000 injuries and about 438 traffic deaths over the three-day weekend in 2016. In 2008, the NSC predicted 439 deaths, and the actual total was 473. So far this year, more than 19,000 people were killed in traffic accidents from January through June.

Staying Alive This Labor Day

The experts say that our roads are more crowded, due to a stronger economy and lower gas prices. When more people are out on the road, there are more accidents. But, there are other factors behind the rising rate of accidents. We have a very high number of inexperienced drivers and, when surveyed, a large percentage of those drivers said that they will use social media or text behind the wheel.

If you are travelling this Labor Day, or just driving to a friend’s house down the street, you can reduce your chance of being involved in a fatal accident by keeping your eyes and your mind on the road, even if it is a short trip. And while texting has surpassed drunk driving as the biggest threat on the road, you still need to stay sober.

Most of all, you have to be on the lookout for other drivers. Refuse to ride with someone who texts or uses social media while they drive. Be alert to the behavior of other drivers. Encourage your friends and family to turn off their phones before they get behind the wheel.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving may be common, but it is negligent driving and it is a choice. If you or someone you love has been injured by a distracted driver, please contact AccidentAttorneys.org to be put in touch with a highly credentialed, local attorney.

Here are two good resources for you if have travel plans this Labor Day Weekend: http://accidentattorneys.org/free-car-safety-ebook/ and http://accidentattorneys.org/travel-safety-checklist/.

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Filed Under: Distracted Driving
Avatar About Sandra Dalton

With a background as a paralegal, focusing on criminal defense and civil rights, Sandra Dalton launched her freelance writing career in 2000 with a weekly column on Freedom for Suite 101 and pro bono projects for individuals and organizations supporting causes close to her heart. One of her first projects was for the Police Compliant Center writing about police misconduct. Sandra’s legal writing quickly expanded to include personal injury, animal welfare, criminal defense, disability discrimination, family law and much more.