Answers To Common Questions About Labor Day Safety

This page features the answers to some of the Labor Day Safety Questions that we hear the most. If you have additional questions or comments about Labor Day safety please call our office anytime at 407-422-4529.

What are the leading causes of car accidents over Labor Day weekend?

Not surprisingly, the leading cause of car accidents over Labor Day weekend is drunk driving. From 2009 to 2013, there were 1,968 people killed in car crashes, over Labor Day weekend. Of those fatal crashes, nearly half (45%) of the drivers involved had been drinking. Distracted driving is the second most common cause of car accidents over Labor Day weekend.

What is the most dangerous time to drive over the Labor Day holiday?

Driving in the evening has proven to be the most dangerous time to be on the roads during the Labor Day holiday. Drunk driving is more common at night; therefore, the risk of being involved in an accident increases. In 2013, half of all the fatalities, which involved drunk drivers, occurred between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.

Which groups of drivers are most likely to be involved in an automobile accident over Labor Day weekend?

• Men are more likely than women to drink and drive. In 2013, 23% of males involved in deadly crashes were drunk, compared to 15% of females.
• Young drivers, between the ages of 15 and 24 were the most likely to cause a drunk driving crash, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

What are the auto accident statistics for the Labor Day holiday?

• One person is killed in a drunk-driving crash every 52 minutes in the United States between mid-August and the Labor Day holiday.
• During Labor Day weekend from 2009-2013, there were 1,968 people killed in traffic crashes on our nation’s roads. Of those fatal crashes, almost half (45%) involved drivers who had been drinking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes over Labor Day weekend in 2013, 45 percent of those fatalities involved a drunk driver with a BAC of .08 or higher.
• Motorcycle riders have the highest overall rate of alcohol impairment in fatal crashes. In 2013, 27% of motorcycle riders who were killed had been driving while impaired.

What are the reasons fatal car crashes are on the rise?

Four avoidable factors were blamed for the increase in fatal crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• Alcohol-related fatalities increased by 3.2 percent, from 9,943 in 2014 to 10,265 in 2015;
• Crashes linked to speeding increased by 3 percent, from 9,283 to 9,557;
• The number of victims not wearing a seatbelt increased by 4.9 percent, from 9,410 to 9,874.
• Distracted driving and cell phone use. Drivers who are texting, talking, surfing the web, on social media, reading, taking pictures, or taking videos while driving are to blame for a quarter of all car crashes and road accidents.
• Other reasons behind the increase include a stronger economy, lower unemployment rates and lower gas prices- all of which prompt people to drive more- especially during the holidays.

What are the most common Labor Day weekend injuries?

• Firework-related injuries
• Boating and water-related injuries
• Injuries resulting from alcohol consumption
• Injuries sustained in car crashes
• Injuries sustained doing recreational activities (i.e. – sporting injuries, motorcycle accidents, ATV accidents, etc.)

How many fatalities does the National Safety Council predict this Labor Day weekend?

Based on recent crash death rates, the council predicts that this Labor Day will result in 438 people being killed during the three-day holiday weekend.

What are some safe driving tips to remember if planning a road trip this Labor Day weekend?

Plan Ahead:

• Have a full check-up done on your vehicle before traveling. Make sure your vehicle’s fluid levels, wipers and tire pressure is properly maintained.
• Ensure that everyone in the vehicle is properly buckled up, including those in the back seat.
• Make sure all children are properly secured in child safety seats.
• Give yourself plenty of travel time to avoid frustration during road closures, delays or bad weather.
• Look ahead at weather forecasts to best plan your travel route.
• Have a car safety kit with basic items like jumper cables, a first aid kit, a blanket, flashlight, extra batteries, and water.

Be Rested and Alert:

• Make sure you are well-rested before traveling. Drowsy or tired driving can be extremely dangerous and can result in a crash.
• Obey all traffic signals and speed limits. Remember there will be additional law enforcement keeping a strict watch over the holiday weekend.
• Pay special attention to emergency signals and traffic patterns. If you see an emergency vehicle approaching, always MOVE OVER and SLOW DOWN.

Avoid Distractions & Alcohol:

• Do not text and drive. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents.
• Refrain from eating and other activities that take your attention away from the road.
• If you must make a phone call, adjust your GPS device or do anything else that requires your full concentration, pull off the road to a safe location, first.
• Never drink and drive.

Drive Defensively:

• Give yourself adequate space between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Follow the “two-second” rule to avoid tailgating the driver in front of you.
• Be aware of other vehicles around you, on all sides.
• Do not rely on only your mirrors when changing lanes. Turn your head and check your blind spots before changing lanes.

Will my attorney be available on Labor Day if I am involved in an automobile accident?

At the law firm of Michael T. Gibson, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Valuable physical evidence at the scene of a crash, like skid marks and vehicle damage can disappear quickly. Witnesses can become hard to track down and critical details forgotten, making your case harder to prove. We understand the importance of being there for our clients from day one, even meeting them at the accident scene and getting on the case, immediately.