For many Americans, Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer travel, offering one final holiday weekend before the fall season begins. While some plan to fly to their destinations, many others are hitting the road. The National Safety Council warns that 424 people may die on U.S. roads during this holiday weekend, a 7% decrease from last year's projection. Each year, the NSC projects how many traffic deaths may occur on Labor Day using data from the National Highway Traffic Administration Analysis Reporting System. The projected decline in fatalities is linked to a weaker economy, according to the NSC's statistics manager, Ken Kolosh. “When the economy is a little bit weaker, we tend to see a decrease or steady level of miles on the road, and often with that see a decrease in fatalities,” said Kolosh. From 2013 to 2023, most Labor Day weekends have resulted in higher traffic deaths compared with the previous and following weekends.Traffic deaths include fatalities involving all types of road users, including pedestrians, vehicle occupants, cyclists and more. While this year's projection shows a decline, Labor Day remains one of the most dangerous holidays for drivers. In 2023, the holiday had the highest average number of daily traffic deaths, averaging 152 per day.That same year, 495 deaths were reported during Labor Day weekend, about 9% higher than NSC's estimate. Alcohol consumption accounted for 36% of those fatalities. How to stay safe this weekendKolosh recommends planning ahead and designating a sober driver if you plan to consume alcohol. If you are hosting an event, make sure your guests have a safe way to get home or a place to stay after the festivities. The risk of crashes is higher over holiday weekends, so stay vigilant and remember that not all drivers on the road may be driving safely.Most importantly, keep your focus on the task of driving and ensure all passengers are buckled up. About 91% of passengers already wear seat belts, but if that number reached 100%, an additional 100 lives could be saved, Kolosh said. PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=
WASHINGTON — For many Americans, Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer travel, offering one final holiday weekend before the fall season begins.
While some plan to fly to their destinations, many others are hitting the road.
The National Safety Council warns that 424 people may die on U.S. roads during this holiday weekend, a 7% decrease from last year's projection.
Each year, the NSC projects how many traffic deaths may occur on Labor Day using data from the National Highway Traffic Administration Analysis Reporting System.
The projected decline in fatalities is linked to a weaker economy, according to the NSC's statistics manager, Ken Kolosh.
“When the economy is a little bit weaker, we tend to see a decrease or steady level of miles on the road, and often with that see a decrease in fatalities,” said Kolosh.
From 2013 to 2023, most Labor Day weekends have resulted in higher traffic deaths compared with the previous and following weekends.
Traffic deaths include fatalities involving all types of road users, including pedestrians, vehicle occupants, cyclists and more.
While this year's projection shows a decline, Labor Day remains one of the most dangerous holidays for drivers. In 2023, the holiday had the highest average number of daily traffic deaths, averaging 152 per day.
That same year, 495 deaths were reported during Labor Day weekend, about 9% higher than NSC's estimate. Alcohol consumption accounted for 36% of those fatalities.
How to stay safe this weekend
Kolosh recommends planning ahead and designating a sober driver if you plan to consume alcohol. If you are hosting an event, make sure your guests have a safe way to get home or a place to stay after the festivities.
The risk of crashes is higher over holiday weekends, so stay vigilant and remember that not all drivers on the road may be driving safely.
Most importantly, keep your focus on the task of driving and ensure all passengers are buckled up. About 91% of passengers already wear seat belts, but if that number reached 100%, an additional 100 lives could be saved, Kolosh said.
