Memorial Day is One of the Deadliest Times to Drive | Safety Tips for the Road

Memorial Day is a time where we honor and celebrate those who fought among danger for our freedom. But this weekend, unfortunately, also brings another type of danger.

Deadliest Season for Driving

Memorial Day weekend isn’t just viewed as the start of the summer holiday. It is also hailed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as the start of the deadliest season on the road. Unfortunately, with more people traveling for vacations or short trips on public roadways, there is an increase in traffic fatalities.

One of the reasons for an uptick in traffic fatalities during Memorial Day weekend is drunken driving. To combat this, police departments increase their sobriety checkpoints during this weekend, and other holidays, nationwide.

The National Safety Council announced that 409 people may be killed on the roads during Memorial Day weekend this year. That is the highest estimate the NSC has provided since 2012.

Memorial Day Safety Tips

Memorial Day is this upcoming Monday, the 29th. There are extra precautions you can take while you are going out this holiday weekend.

• Be observant

If someone is swerving on the road or driving at a high speed, you may want to exit the highway and wait until the driver is out of sight before getting back on the road again. You should also call 911 to report a suspected drunken driver.

• Buckle Up

It’s important to keep yourself and loved ones in a seat belt during the entire drive. Seat belts have saved more than 13,000 people in passenger seats in 2015 alone, and are the best defense if a crash occurs.

• Use Uber or Lyft

If you had too much to drink, use the Uber or Lyft app for a safe ride home. If you know a friend who wants to go out and has been drinking, appoint a designated driver or request an Uber/Lyft.

If you’d like to read additional tips for safe driving this season, NHTSA can help with their new summer driving tips campaign.

Smart Start wishes you a fantastic Memorial Day weekend.

Do you need an Interlock Device? Feel free to call our customer care center at 800-831-3299, even if it is on Memorial Day. You can also fill out our quick and easy online form to create an installation appointment.