Don't be a traffic statistic this holiday weekend.
It's no secret that the United States has been seeing more cars on the road, driving more miles. As a result, it's more important than ever to keep safety a priority behind the wheel.
Insurance agents and brokers can make sure their clients have the appropriate auto coverage for their families and share the following safe driving reminders.
Related: Are we safe drivers? Apparently not...
|Avoid serious injury and auto claims
National Safety Council calculations indicate 582 people may be killed on the roads during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday period, and an additional 66,900 may be seriously injured in crashes.
This year has the highest estimate the Council has issued since 2006 for a four-day July 4 holiday period. The holiday period begins at 6 p.m. ET Friday, June 30, and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET Tuesday, July 4.
|Make safe decisions
"The Council issues these estimates to empower drivers to make safe decisions behind the wheel because the only acceptable number of deaths is zero," said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "We hope Americans will spend their holiday safely watching fireworks and celebrating with families rather than sitting in an emergency room."
Tips to ensure a safer holiday weekend include:
- Wear a seat belt on every trip. About 226 people are likely to survive crashes during the holiday because they buckled up.
- Make sure children are restrained in safety seats that are appropriate for their height, age and weight.
- Designate an alcohol and drug-free driver or arrange alternate transportation. Impairment begins with the first drink.
- Get plenty of sleep and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.
- Never use a cell phone behind the wheel, even hands-free.
- Don't allow teens to drive with their friends. A single young passenger can increase a teen driver's fatal crash risk 44%.
- Obey all traffic laws, including speed limits.
- Be aware of road conditions.
- Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicles in front of you.
- Learn about your vehicle's safety systems and how to use them. MyCarDoesWhat can help drivers understand the ins and outs of new technology features.
- Check your vehicle for recalls. Visit ChecktoProtect.org to ensure your vehicle does not have an open recall.
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Jayleen R. Heft
Jayleen Heft is the digital content editor for PropertyCasualty360.com. Contact her at [email protected].
