NSC Estimates 436 Deaths from Traffic Crashes for 2013 Thanksgiving Day Holiday Period

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Nov 19, 2013, 04:22 ET

ITASCA, Ill., Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council today released its estimates of fatalities from traffic crashes for the 2013 Thanksgiving Day holiday period, which begins at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 27, and ends at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, December 1. The Council estimates 436 traffic fatalities and another 46,600 medically consulted injuries may occur from motor vehicle collisions during this busy holiday time.

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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)

"NSC issues fatality estimates for major holiday periods to draw attention to the need for drivers to exercise safe driving practices," said John Ulczycki, vice president of strategic initiatives at the National Safety Council. "It is especially important to highlight these numbers when a significant number of drivers are expected to be traveling on our roadways and highways."

The estimated fatality total for 2013 is 8% less than the average actual number of fatalities (474) that occurred during the previous six Thanksgiving Day holiday periods for which data are available. The lower than average fatality estimate this Thanksgiving Day holiday period is a reflection of an overall downward trend in motor vehicle deaths in the United States that started in 2008. Although 2012 showed an increase in the number of motor vehicle fatalities, preliminary 2013 results are once again consistent with the downward trend.

Evaluation of Recent Thanksgiving Day Holiday Period Estimates

Year	Estimate	90% Confidence Interval	Actual
2006	555	500-615	623
2007	564	499-635	542
2008	479	415-551	484
2009	447	392-508	401
2010	441	378-513	417
2011	434	368-509	375

It is estimated that 158 lives may be saved this Thanksgiving Day holiday period by buckling up, and an additional 109 lives could be saved if all wore safety belts. To take a positive approach to encouraging safety belt use, NSC recommends:

Wear your safety belt every trip, every time – even when traveling a short distance
Model this safe behavior, especially in front of children
Ensure everyone is safely buckled up before you drive
Place children in age-appropriate safety seats

Supplemental Thanksgiving Holiday Period 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.

SOURCE National Safety Council