Labor Day Weekend 2021
The upcoming holiday weekend traditionally signifies that the unofficial end of Summer is upon us. Labor Day Weekend calls up images of family gatherings and backyard barbeques. For safety researchers who track traffic fatalities throughout the United States, however, the Labor Day weekend represents a period where the rates of death caused by traffic accidents increase. If the traffic patterns that have been present throughout the year continue, the country may see even more deaths than usual over the Labor Day 2021 holiday.
NSC Issues a Deadly Estimate
The National Safety Council (NSC) has issued an estimate that 466 people could die in traffic collisions on roads throughout the United States during this year’s Labor Day holiday period. The estimate for 2021 is 19% higher than it was last year, which reflects an overall increase in traffic fatalities during 2021.
Every year, Labor Day is observed on the first Monday of September. The NSC refers to the holiday as a 3.25-day weekend because it includes Friday evening hours through Monday. For purposes of their statistics, this year’s Labor Day weekend spans from 6 p.m. on Friday, September 3rd, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 6th.
Holiday Weekend Traffic Fatalities
Traditionally, holiday periods mean that more families are traveling by car than during other times of the year. One thing to consider when looking at the increased traffic volumes is that per passenger mile, motor vehicle travel has the highest fatality rate out of all major forms of transportation.
Another factor to consider, along with the increase in car travel, is that holiday weekends are often celebrated with an increase in alcohol consumption, and impaired driving is one of the top causes of car crashes.
Labor Day Weekend and Drunk Driving
In the United States, the 2019 annual rate of alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities (with a blood-alcohol content [BAC] of at least 0.08) was 28% of all traffic deaths. During the Labor Day holiday that same year, 38% of traffic deaths involved a driver impaired by alcohol – ten percent higher than the average yearly rate.
Determining the 2021 Death Estimate
Though the NSC’s estimates are based on a number of factors and have historically been fairly accurate, any estimate comes with uncertainty. The uncertainty is heightened this year, given the unknown impact that the evolving response to the pandemic may have on holiday travel.
Labor Day Weekend Injury Estimate
The NSC also provides an estimate for injuries caused by traffic collisions during the holiday weekend. For purposes of their analysis, an injury is defined as one that is serious enough to require medical consultation. This year’s medically consulted injury estimate for collisions during the Labor Day holiday is 53,100.
Watch the YouTube video. The news clip below reports on California’s Labor Day traffic deaths in 2018.
The Importance of Seat Belts
Research clearly shows that the use of seat belts is 45% effective in preventing deaths of front-seat occupants of passenger cars. The proper use of seat belts by passenger vehicle occupants during this Labor Day holiday period could save an estimated 184 lives. If everyone (including those in other types of vehicles) wears their seat belts, 108 more deaths could be prevented.
Yuba City Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thanks for reading. I’m Ed Smith, a Yuba City, California, personal injury attorney. We hope that the estimate for traffic fatalities issued for Labor Day 2021 turns out to be higher than reality. Unfortunately, though, fatal car crashes do happen with alarming regularity on California roads. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car crash that was caused by another driver’s negligence, please don’t hesitate – reach out to our experienced injury lawyers to receive free and friendly advice. Our local number is (530) 392-9400. We also provide a toll-free line for those who may be calling from other area codes: (800) 404-5400.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/clipart-sticker-labor-day-worker-2710273/
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