I Do Not Like Mondays

Lead photo by Tim Samuel, Pexels

Tailgating, not maintaining a safe stopping distance, driving recklessly or impatiently — all these things and more, coupled with the large volumes of traffic expected for Labor Day weekend, could contribute to a loss of life that simply shouldn’t happen, a new report suggests.

The National Safety Council, a nonprofit safety advocacy that’s been around more than 100 years, estimates that some 457 people may be killed over the Labor Day weekend period due to preventable motor vehicle crashes. The period starts Friday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. and runs through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2.

The council urges all drivers to prioritize safety this weekend, “so we all make it home to our loved ones.” Mark Chung, executive vice president of safety leadership and advocacy at NSC, noted that “preventable traffic crashes claim far too many lives each year, and by following simple safety measures, we can all do our part to ensure a safer journey for everyone.”

NSC recommends a number of steps drivers can take that will help keep the roads safe:

—Be prepared. Check your oil level and tire pressures before you hit the road. The council also suggests visiting https://checktoprotect.org/ to see if your car has any open recalls that can be repaired for free.

—Buckle up and be sure child car seats are installed and used correctly.

—Drive sober. Alcohol and other drugs like cannabis and opioids, as well as some prescription medications, can impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle. Make sure the person designated to be behind the wheel is ready and able to be.

—Slow it down. Speeding is a major factor in more than one out of four traffic fatalities, NSC points out, so keep it at the speed limit (or below, if conditions dictate). Also, be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists as well as motorcyclists out on the road.

—Put down the phone and drive distraction-free.

—“Look before you lock.” The council says pediatric vehicle heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash motor vehicle fatalities in the U.S. — so far this year, 23 children have reportedly been killed in this way. When you park, double check that you’ve got all pets and children out of the car and don’t make this potentially fatal mistake.

—Consider joining the Road to Zero Coalition. This coalition calls for a number of measures such as rumble strips and protected bike lanes in a holistic approach to motor vehicle safety, aiming to reach zero deaths.

Drive defensively, maintaining safe distances between you and the vehicle in front of you, and remember to use your turn signal/indicator to let other drivers know you’re turning or changing lanes. And on the highways and major routes with two or more lanes, the old directive to “drive right, pass left” — that is, driving in the right lane(s) and passing other vehicles to the left — still works to boost safety. And watch not to hover in another driver’s blind spot. Try to be well-rested before you take the wheel, so you’re in peak alertness for the trip.

For additional tips on traffic safety, visit www.nsc.org/saferoads.