By Special to the Town Crier
Last year, 645 people died in auto crashes during the Independence Day holiday period, which fell on a long four-and-a-half-day weekend.
Since the Fourth falls on Wednesday this year, the holiday period will be much shorter. That means fewer people should die in auto accidents during any Independence Day holiday period since 1990. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 144 people involved in serious motor vehicle crashes will survive this Independence Day because they will be wearing their seat belts.
“That’s the good news,” said Ann Shanklin, NSC San Francisco Chapter director. “The bad news is that despite the shorter holiday, we estimate that 198 people will die on the highways during the Fourth of July. The council also estimates that 4,200 people will suffer disabling injuries from car crashes. If everyone were to buckle up, we would save 53 additional lives.”
Holidays are always dangerous times be on the road. The average number of traffic fatalities during the most recent Independence Day holiday periods was 13.3 percent higher than similar nonholiday periods.
“We’ve made great strides in the effort to get motorists to buckle up,” Shanklin said. “But we need to do more. Safety belts are proven to save lives, yet nearly 3 out of 10 drivers and passengers still don’t wear them.”
The United States has one of the lowest safety-belt usage rates when compared to other developed countries. For example, the safety belt usage rate in Canada is 93 percent. In Australia it’s 99 percent. Both countries have strong safety belt laws that are strictly enforced.
The 29 percent of motorists in the U.S. who don’t buckle up tend to be high-risk drivers who are twice as likely to be involved in fatal crashes.
The NSC’s San Francisco Chapter recommends motorists make sure everyone is properly buckled for every trip over the Fourth of July holiday.
In addition to wearing a safety belt, the council also urges to:
Make sure children are properly fastened in belts or child safety seats in the back seat every time they ride in a car. Six out of 10 children killed in crashes are not restrained. Children 12 and under should always ride in the back seat, especially in vehicles with air bags.
Don’t drink and drive. More than half of all fatal vehicle crashes last Fourth of July weekend involved alcohol. If you know you will be drinking alcohol, use a designated driver or public transportation.
Allow enough travel time for frequent breaks on longer trips. Drowsy drivers are an increasing problem in our fast-paced society. Remember, drowsiness can reduce reaction time almost as much as drinking.
The NSC is a nonprofit, nongovernmental public service organization dedicated to reducing unintentional injuries in homes and communities, in the work place and on the road.
For more information about the NSC, logon to www.nsc.org.
