This New Year’s Eve, make good decisions and get home safely. Have a Happy and Safe New Year from all of us at TrafficSchool.com!
Tag Archives: Holiday
Buckle Up for Safety: Your Lifesaver on the Road
Let’s talk about seatbelts – your trusty sidekicks on the road. Think of them as your personal bodyguards inside your car, ready to swoop in and shield you in those ‘uh-oh’ moments when you hit the brakes hard or, heaven forbid, collide with something. Remember, strapping in isn’t just about following the law; it’s a vital safety step that can save lives and reduce injuries in case you ever find yourself in a car collision. So, make it a habit to buckle up before you start your journey, and ensure everyone in the vehicle does the same.
Now, speaking of journeys, with the holidays just around the corner, we all know it’s the season for increased traffic and, unfortunately, more collisions too. Factors like alcohol consumption and fatigue can heighten the risk during this time. So, as you hit the road, be the responsible road warrior and keep that seatbelt snug – it’s your best defense out there!
Happy and Safe Halloween
As you are gearing up for the spookiest holiday weekend, take a minute to setup a safe ride home. TrafficSchool.com and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) encourage you to not drive impaired this Halloween!
You’re no mummy, vampire 🧛, or Frankenstein 🧟—once you’re gone, there’s no coming back from the dead. You have one life—don’t waste it by driving drunk. #BuzzedDriving is drunk driving.
A good time can quickly turn into a nightmare if you, or someone you know, get behind the wheel after using drugs. Don’t let your drive home become a cautionary tale. If you feel different, you drive different. #ImpairedDriving
100 Deadliest Days
For many people, summer unofficially starts Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day. While the start of summer is an exciting time for most, not many people know that the time period from Memorial Day to Labor Day is considered the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, especially for teen drivers. From the year 2010 to 2019, over 7,000 Americans died in teen related driving accidents between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The NSC (National Safety Council) has noted an association between the monthly number of vehicle miles traveled and motor-vehicle fatalities. The NSC states that mileage and motor vehicle death rates increase during the summer months, particularly the months of July and August. So, don’t let your guard down while we are enjoying lighter traffic due to schools being out for summer vacation. Always be alert and aware of other drivers around you… summer vacation doesn’t mean you should take a vacation from good defensive driving habits.
Holiday Travel Dangers
When thinking of Thanksgiving, many things come to mind; such as food, family, blessings, maybe even a pleasant memory. But does “dangerous” come to mind? Probably not.
Did you know that the National Safety Council estimates that about 515 people may die on U.S. roads this Thanksgiving holiday? That is the most deaths estimated for the Thanksgiving holiday period since 2007. According to the American Automobile Association, it is estimated that more than 53.4 million people will travel this year for Thanksgiving, with the majority of those choosing to travel by car. Car travel has the highest fatality rate in the U.S. for unintentional injury deaths. Alcohol is also a factor adding to the holiday’s high fatality rate. During the Thanksgiving Day weekend (Wednesday evening through Sunday afternoon), about 29% of fatalities that occur are caused by the alcohol-impaired driver.
While this holiday may include car travel and possibly alcohol, making simple choices, such as wearing your seatbelt and having a designated driver can keep you much safer. So, while you’re gobbling up your meal this Thanksgiving, decide to drink responsibly, and as always make sure to wear your seatbelt. It could possibly save your life.
Party with a Plan
If your Halloween weekend includes celebrating with cocktails, be sure to make plans for a sober ride home in advance. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds us that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. According to NHTSA, 41% of all people killed in motor vehicle crashes on Halloween night from 2015 to 2019 were in crashes involving a drunk driver. Since Halloween lands on a Sunday this year, that will likely mean more parties throughout the weekend, with more opportunities to make responsible choices. Enjoy your spooky parties, but have a designated driver, or use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely!
Memorial Day Weekend
Whatever your plans are for this Memorial Day weekend, be sure they include staying safe on the road. Don’t take chances. Follow this simple strategy to reduce your risk behind the wheel:
- Don’t drive after drinking alcohol.
- Don’t drive impaired by drugs.
- Don’t drive distracted.
- Always wear your seat belt.
Stay safe and enjoy your extended weekend!
Make It Home for the Holidays
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is once again teaming up with law enforcement across the United States during the 2019 Holiday Season to increase enforcement targeting the traffic safety issue of impaired driving. The enforcement campaigns, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI, run from December 13, 2019, through January 1, 2020 to coincide with the 2019 holiday season. The Holiday Season is one of the deadliest times of the year in terms of impaired-driving fatalities.
NHTSA reminds us, “It doesn’t matter what term you use: If a person is feeling a little high, buzzed, stoned, wasted, or drunk, he or she is impaired and should never get behind the wheel.”
Labor Day Weekend
Summer is drawing to a close. For many families the Labor Day weekend is a time for one last road trip before getting back into the school year groove. More people on the roads means greater potential for something to go wrong. While you enjoy your holiday please be vigilant behind the wheel and remember to:
- Stay alert and drive defensively
- Wear your seat belt
- Drive sober
- Avoid drowsy driving
- Avoid driving distractions
Independence Day
July 4th is a celebration of American independence and freedom. Don’t jeopardize your freedom by drinking and driving. Law enforcement across the US are taking part in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign during the 4th of July holiday period, June 29 through July 5, 2019, to put an end to drunk driving.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that over the 4th of July holiday period in 2017 (6 p.m. June 30 to 5:59 a.m. July 5), 601 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. 39% (237) of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired crashes. This is a 23% increase from 2016, during which 192 people were killed during the same holiday period. NHTSA urges drivers to designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening. If you plan on drinking, plan on not driving.
Right Side of the Road 