National Safety Council estimates nearly 400 fatalities in car crashes during Labor Day weekend

Council reminds drivers to take extra caution while traveling

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Aug 25, 2014, 12:51 ET

ITASCA, Ill., Aug. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council estimates 395 people will be killed and an additional 42,300 will be injured in car crashes during the Labor Day holiday weekend. The period begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 1. An evaluation of recent Labor Day holiday period fatality estimates is shown in the table below.

Evaluation of Recent Labor Day Holiday Period Estimates

The mission of the National Safety Council is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. (PRNewsFoto/National Safety Council) (PRNewsFoto/National Safety Council)

Year	Estimate	90% Confidence Interval	Actual
2007	490	440-544	508
2008	439	384-501	473
2009	404	356-457	351
2010	368	320-422	390
2011	400	337-472	373
2012	405	336-485	378

It also is estimated that 144 lives may be saved this Labor Day holiday period by buckling up.

"Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer activities – it should be a time of celebration," said Deborah A.P. Hersman president and CEO of NSC. "Unfortunately this weekend will be a time of tragedy for hundreds of families that experience a preventable fatality on our roadways."

To ensure a safer Labor Day holiday weekend, NSC recommends drivers:

Refrain from using cell phones – handheld or hands-free – because there is no safe way to use a cell phone while driving
Do not manipulate in-vehicle infotainment systems or electronic devices, including GPS systems, while the vehicle is in motion
Make sure all passengers are buckled up and children are in safety seats appropriate for their age and size
Allow plenty of travel time to avoid frustration and diminish the impulse to speed
Drive defensively and exercise caution, especially during inclement weather
Designate a non-drinking driver or plan for alternative transportation, such as a taxi

Supplemental Labor Day Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimate Detail

About the National Safety Council
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities.

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SOURCE National Safety Council