Safety on the Roadways This Holiday Season

Safety on the Roadways This Holiday Season

Labor Day is this coming weekend and according to AAA, Summer 2014 looks to be going out with a bang. An expected 34.7 million Americans are forecast to be traveling over 50 miles or more during the holiday weekend. This number is up an additional 1.3% from last year. If you and your family are planning on heading up north to the walk the Mighty Mac or down to the Metro Detroit area for a weekend at the Henry Ford Museum or the 2014 Renaissance Festival, be sure you are aware of the traffic situation and be extra cautious when traveling.

The statistics tell the story. In the State of Michigan alone, almost 300,000 accidents occurred in 2013. Of these accidents, over 880 were fatal and over 51,000 additional drivers or passengers were injured during these accidents (CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION CENTER CRASH STATISTICS, 2014). Further evidence of the impact of traffic accidents can be found on the CDC which provides the monetary cost of motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. According to the CDC, it is not just the loss of life which impacts us, but the price to the state as well. In Michigan, it cost a total $1.04 billion dollars, $13 million in medical costs and 1.3 billion in work loss costs to the state in 2005 alone (Cost of deaths from motor vehicle crashes, 2011). So how do we help reduce the loss of life and the costs associated with these accidents? Have fewer accidents. Below are some helpful tips to should consider when traveling this holiday season:

1. Be sure you are using your child’s safety seat correctly – you can learn more at safercar.gov
2. Know your vehicle – larger vehicles handle differently than smaller vehicles. If you are driving a larger vehicle than you are used to, be sure you consider the longer time required to turn and stop.
3. Know what is going on around you at all times – not all of us have a vehicle which is aware of surroundings. Many accidents can be prevented by simply looking around and being cautious. Avoid personal injuries to others by looking before you move.
4. Be part of the solution – the Toward Zero Deaths campaign by the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan State Police raises awareness of highway safety.
5. Maintain your vehicle – being sure your tires are inflated properly, that your vehicle works properly and that your brakes and signals work is a key to vehicle safety.
6. NEVER tailgate – maintain a safe distance from other vehicles especially on busy highways such as those during the holidays.
7. Slow down in work zones – even though our Michigan highway workers will not be on the road during the holidays, there will likely be plenty of construction to get through. Even if there are no workers present, speeds will likely be reduced in these areas. Pay attention.
8. Slow down – not only will you save money on gas, you can also prevent accidents. Make your travel time part of your vacation and slow down for safety.
9. Never drink and drive – protect yourself and others.
10. Take breaks – while it is easy to understand the safety relating to not drinking and driving, many forget how being over tired can also impact your driving. Take breaks often to avoid falling asleep at the wheel.

Resources:

Cost of deaths from motor vehicle crashes. (2011, May 10). Retrieved August 21, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/statecosts/mi.html

JUSTICE INFORMATION CENTER CRASH STATISTICS. (2014, March 4). Retrieved August 21, 2014, from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/2013_Year_End_for_WEB_459459_7.pdf