The National Safety Council estimates more than 400 people might die in vehicle crashes during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday period -– a 12% jump from recent years.
by Staff
May 19, 2017
Photo by Djmaschek/Wikimedia Commons.
2 min to read
Photo by Djmaschek/Wikimedia Commons.
National Safety Council estimates indicate that 409 people may be killed on the roads during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday period — the highest estimate the council has released for the Memorial Day holiday period since 2012.
The estimated number of fatalities is 12% higher than the average number of deaths (364) that occurred during the previous six Memorial Day holiday periods. The NSC also estimates 47,000 people may be seriously injured on roads during the three-day holiday period, which begins at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, May 26, and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, May 29.
Ad Loading...
“Memorial Day should mark the start of summer — not the start of another deadly driving season,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council, in a released statement. “Paying attention, slowing down and being courteous can ensure you and your fellow travelers make it to picnics, beaches and BBQs rather than emergency rooms.”
The Memorial Day estimates are in step with a nationwide upward trend in vehicle deaths. Preliminary NSC estimates indicate traffic deaths increased 6% in 2016, and 14% since 2014 — the steepest two-year jump since 1964.
National Safety Council tips to promote a safer holiday weekend include:
Wear a seat belt on every trip. About 159 lives may be saved during the holiday because of people buckling up.
Make sure children are restrained in safety seats appropriate for their height, age and weight.
Do not allow teens to drive with their friends. A single young passenger can increase a teen driver’s fatal crash risk 44%.
Learn about your vehicle’s safety systems and how to use them. MyCarDoesWhatcan help drivers understand the ins and outs of features such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning systems and backup cameras.
Ad Loading...
Supplemental information about the NSC motor vehicle fatality estimates for the Memorial Day holiday period can be found here.
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
