Labor Day is around the corner. The last big party of the summer. You want the summer of 2017 to go out with a bang. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as it does not also go out with a crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that the Labor Day holiday weekend is one of the most dangerous times to be on the roads. Alcohol is a significant factor in many of these holiday highway deaths.
Impaired drivers account for nearly one-third of fatal crashes. In 2015, drunk drivers killed over 10,000 people. That is more than one person each hour of the day for all 365 days. Four hundred sixty of the fatal wrecks happened during the Labor Day weekend.
Plan Ahead for Safety on Labor Day Weekend
You want to have fun, but you do not want to be a statistic. How can you be safe on the road this Labor Day weekend?
- Arrange your lodging. If you are going to drink, make arrangements in advance to stay over. Plan to sleep either at a hotel or a friend’s house. The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau has links to hotels offering packages for the holiday weekend.+
- Have a transportation plan to get home. If staying over is not practical for you, make transportation plans ahead of time. Check the MARTA schedule. Set up an account with Uber or Lyft. Download an app on your phone for a taxi service. Hire a party bus with your friends. Just do not get behind the wheel if you plan to drink. And do not ride in the car with someone who has drank or is planning to drink.
What Is Law Enforcement Doing to Keep Me Safe During Labor Day Weekend?
Georgia law enforcement officials are participating in the national crackdown on drunk and drugged drivers for the end of summer. The promotion, called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” mobilizes extra DUI patrol to catch impaired drivers before they kill someone. The mobilization runs from August 18 through September 3, 2017.
How Many People Are Injured or Killed in Georgia Crashes?
According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety’s 2017 Georgia Highway Safety Plan, there were 378,458 traffic accidents in Georgia in 2014. 117,380 people suffered injuries, and 1,164 died. The good news is that the number of road fatalities in Georgia went down 33 percent from 2005 to 2014.
How Can I Avoid Collisions This Labor Day Weekend?
Nearly one-fourth of all 2014 crashes in the state took place in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb and Richmond counties. Over 45 percent of the fatalities were the result of people not wearing seat belts. Alcohol was a factor in 24 percent of the deaths, while speeding was involved in 18 percent of fatal crashes.
These statistics show us that to maximize your odds of safety on the roads on Labor Day:
- Wear a seat belt.
- Do not drink or take drugs and drive, and do not get in a car with a driver who has been drinking or taking drugs.
- Do not drive at excessive speeds.
Stay Safe With the Law Office of Jason R. Schultz, P.C.
Be careful on the roads this Labor Day weekend. If you suffer an injury that was not your fault, the Law Office of Jason R. Schultz, P.C. can help. Call 404-474-0804 today to set up your free consultation.