NSC estimates nearly 800 total fatalities from car crashes this Christmas and New Year's holiday periods

Council provides tips to stay safe this busy holiday season

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Dec 16, 2014, 10:30 ET

ITASCA, Ill., Dec. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council released its traffic fatality estimates for the Christmas Day and New Year's Day holiday periods. NSC estimates 366* deaths and another 39,200 injuries requiring medical attention may occur because of car crashes during the Christmas Day holiday period. An estimated 421^ deaths and 45,000 injuries requiring medical attention may occur during the New Year's Day holiday period. Seat belts could save an estimated 134 lives during the Christmas Day holiday period and 154 lives during the New Year's Day holiday period.

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.

Evaluation of Recent Christmas Day Holiday Period Estimates

Year	Number of Days	Estimate	90% Confidence Interval	Actual
2008	4.25	432	371-500	409
2009	3.25	317	253-388	248
2010	3.25	303	233-384	249
2011	3.25	287	220-365	256
2012	4.25	377	320-441	351

Evaluation of Recent New Year's Day Holiday Period Estimates

Year	Number of Days	Estimate	90% Confidence Interval	Actual
2008	4.25	498	447-555	407
2009	4.25	445	394-502	458
2010	3.25	301	260-347	286
2011	3.25	308	259-364	304
2012	3.25	297	249-353	348

"The holiday season is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year," said Deborah A.P. Hersman, NSC president and CEO. "Sadly, we could be facing two especially deadly holiday periods, since each will include a long four-day weekend. Families should take extra precaution on our highways to avoid unnecessary tragedies."

NSC recommends the following tips to stay safe:

Buckle up every trip, every time – even when traveling short distances
Refrain from using electronic devices – including hands-free – behind the wheel
Secure children in size-appropriate restraints
Do not drink and drive, as impairment begins with the first drink – if you drink, designate a sober driver or take alternate transportation
Plan ahead and drive defensively, especially during bad weather
Never drive when you are tired – get plenty of sleep before your trip and plan regular stops

The Christmas Day holiday period begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28. The New Year's Day holiday period begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015. Find more seasonal safety tips at nsc.org.

*Supplemental Christmas Day Holiday Traffic Fatality Estimate Detail
^Supplemental New Year's 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